Recognition & Appreciation Toolkit

Words of affirmation include praise for accomplishments, character traits, and personality. Words of affirmation can be exchanged personally/one-on-one, in front of team members (without public acknowledgement), in a public display (at an awards ceremony), or through written means. 

According to Gary Chapman and Paul White, authors of Five Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace: Empowering Organizations by Encouraging People, 45% of the population has words of affirmation as their primary workplace appreciation language. 

Here are some ways to recognize employees through words of affirmation:

• Send a personalized, hand-written note, email, or Teams message.
• Have a private conversation, providing specific details that support your appreciation.   
• Allow time during team meetings for shout-outs and words of appreciation. 
• Submit a Pats for Patriots message 
• Nominate an employee for an Outstanding Achievement Award or for Mason’s Employee of the Month (to be recognized in a public recognition ceremony) 
• Use Recognition Mini Notes or Praise Pads to send a creative thank you or encouraging note. Departments can have recognition mini notes and praise pads sent to their mailstop. Email awards@gmu.edu with your request. 

According to Gary Chapman and Paul White, authors of Five Languages of  Appreciation in the Workplace: Empowering Organizations by Encouraging People, just  6% of the population has tangible gifts as their primary workplace appreciation language. 

Key tips in giving gifts as appreciation: 

• Ensure the employee appreciates gifts. 
• Make sure the type of gift is personalized and valued by the employee.   
• Consider giving gifts that lead to experiences or time off. 

Gift programs managed by HR include: 

• Gift cards 
• Mason Flair  
• Impact Awards 
• Recognition leave 

Having colleagues reach out to help often makes others feel appreciated. Tips for acts of service include the following:   

• Ensure your responsibilities are covered first. 
• Serve voluntarily. 
• Ask before you help; don’t assume you know what help they want or need. Do the task their way.   
• Questions to ask prior to helping should be specific.  (“What would be helpful to you?”, “How would you like the task to be done?”, and “When would be the best time to help?”)

Quality time, consisting of focused attention, quality conversation, shared experiences, the ability to work collegially on a task together, and opportunities for small group dialogue requires intentional time and effort to demonstrate genuine care and appreciation for a colleague. 

Examples of quality time, to demonstrate appreciation, include the following: 

• Focused attention: Give someone your undivided attention. Don’t text, email, look at your phone, etc. Sit down and fully listen. 
• Quality conversations: Create a psychologically safe environment to share thoughts, opinions, and experiences and empathetically listen to colleagues. 
• Shared experiences
  • Go to lunch as a team 
  • Attend conferences, retreats, or teambuilding activities/events together 
  • Participate in walking meetings 
  • Volunteer to support a cause of mutual interest 

While physical touch is rarely a primary workplace appreciation language for employees, according to Chapman and White (2019), there are certain acts of physical touch that may be appropriate. Workplace appropriate acts of physical touch include a firm handshake, high-five, fist bump, or pat on the back, as long as the recipient is open to those means of appreciation expression. However, keep in mind that physical touch in the workplace may not be appropriate and therefore should be assumed to be unwelcome, until stated otherwise.