6 Ways to Make Up for a Manager’s Lack of Appreciation

When your manager is quick to give negative feedback but rarely offers praise, it can be frustrating and demoralizing. As social animals, we all have an innate desire to feel valued and appreciated for our efforts. At the workplace, recognition fulfills this need, while lack of recognition can lead to frustration, resentment, reduced motivation, disengagement, and quiet quitting.

Additionally, feeling dependent on recognition by a manager can also be detrimental to our personal sense of efficacy and our overall emotional health. leading the way in peer recognition will positively impact your own work environment. Research has shown that peer recognition has a significant positive effect—for instance, by boosting productivity and a sense of belonging.

Here are different ways peer recognition can work:

1. Acknowledging colleague's efforts: You see a colleague work through lunch to finish their part of a team project—giving them a metaphorical or verbal pat on the back will make them feel appreciated and valued for their hard work and dedication, a recognition of the process, not just the outcome. Peer recognition can be a significant motivator, encouraging colleagues to continue putting in their best effort and strive for excellence.
2. Acknowledging colleague's milestones: A colleague has just completed a course that some three-year veterans are chosen for. Placing a "congrats" card on their desk from the team can make them feel proud and liked, as well as strengthen their bond with the team. Recognizing completed tasks or reaching specific stages shows appreciation for progress and accomplishment.
3. Acknowledging colleague's contributions: With team projects, when a team member carries more than their share of the load, acknowledging their efforts in front of the team (i.e., by calling them out and clapping) can motivate them to continue their positive contribution and even provide motivation for other team members to follow suit. Additionally, acknowledging the contributions of peers fosters a sense of appreciation and belonging, which can lead to a more positive and collaborative work environment.
4. Acknowledging colleague's achievements: Working on a stressful individual task alone can cause many people to feel lonely and isolated, even when surrounded by others. So, when a teammate completes an individual task that is either difficult or stressful to them, congratulating them on the completion can make them feel seen, appreciated, and cared for. By strategically highlighting particular achievements and contributions, you can influence what individuals in the team regard—for instance, the degree to which effort, teamwork, and synergy are acknowledged and celebrated by other team members.
5. Celebrating a project milestone: When your team hits a project milestone, don't pass up the opportunity to strengthen team cohesiveness and morale by congratulating yourselves on the collective effort and progress made by the team as a whole. Make sure that any team recognition by a member of the team should always be addressed in plural: "We all deserve a pat on the back for…" As a team member, referring to the team as "you" could seem patronizing.
6. Recognizing team synergy: When the team is working well together and is moving effectively towards their common goal, commenting on the team spirit and synergy strengthens teamwork and encourages collaboration. In this case, you don't have to congratulate the team, rather you can comment on how the team spirit and synergy are positively affecting you: Guys, I love it when we get into flow and really move things along! It makes me feel even more invigorated!

Important Tip: It's crucial to remember that authenticity is key. Recognition should be genuine and based on real merit or effort. Exaggerated or insincere praise can backfire and have the opposite effect.

Conclusion

Recognizing and appreciating employees is crucial for fostering a positive work environment, boosting employee morale and motivation, and creating a team culture that supports team members' emotional health. And all of these, ultimately, contribute to organizational success as well.