A Leader’s Guide to Maximizing Retention
As we kick off 2024 and start to think about goals and resolutions for the new year, many leaders in Recreation, Tourism and Hospitality will be thinking about staff retention and resource planning. That will have us questioning how we retain, engage and motivate our staff in the year ahead. Many companies rely on their recognition programs for this. However, as we know from many recent studies, connection with staff can’t be ignored. This recent article from Mike Robbins on Why Employees Need Both Appreciation and Recognition explores recognition vs. appreciation.
In simple terms, recognition is about what people do; appreciation is about who they are. – Mike Robbins
While easy to confuse, recognition and appreciation serve distinct purposes. Employee recognition is a strategic and systematic acknowledgement of an individual's efforts or accomplishments, either formally or informally to drive motivation. Whether via a tangible benefit like a compensation increase, award, or even a thank-you, there’s no disputing recognition’s impact on job satisfaction and retention. However, Robbins points out that recognition isn’t without its limitations, being based on past performance, resource-dependent and typically tied to the top.
Comparatively, appreciation neglects accomplishments and focuses on the human element, a critical complement. Without balancing the two, Robbins suggests opportunities are missed for leaders to provide connection and support. So what does appreciation look like? It means showing genuine interest and care for employees’ well-being while being thoughtful in praise and providing genuine gratitude for them as people. While this is less common for many leaders, there are fewer limitations and impactful benefits for staff retention.
So, how do we put this into practice? We can reflect and ask ourselves:
What is my mix of recognition and appreciation with my team and my peers?
Am I being consistent, inclusive, and intentional?
How do I know when to recognize vs. appreciate?
What resources are available for recognition and who can support me?
How can I encourage a culture of recognition and appreciation throughout the year?
Given the labour shortage faced today by many employers and how hard it is to find and keep good people, retention is critical. By acknowledging that both recognition and appreciation contribute to a healthy work environment and valuing individuals for both their actions and intrinsic worth, we can elevate our leadership and find greater connections with our team. This also nurtures a workplace where individuals feel seen, valued, and motivated to contribute their best.