Calling in Good Vibes: Amplifying workplace appreciation

It’s Employee Appreciation Day and with it comes an opportunity to reflect on the importance of recognition in the workplace.

Recognition is the fuel of engagement. The proof is in the numbers: according to Gallup, companies with higher levels of employee engagement benefit from 23% higher profitability. The more employees feel their value recognized, the more motivated they are to do their best work. 

Performance reviews often dominate the conversation when it comes to acknowledging the good work our employees do — and we’ve covered massive ground on that. But are there ways we can rethink our appreciation system to celebrate both the big and small wins and contributions day-to-day? Read on to find out.

TL;DR:

• Recognition is essential for fostering a positive workplace; employees who feel appreciated are more engaged, productive, and committed to their jobs.
• Personalizing messages of recognition is key, and effective employee recognition is timely, relevant, and personal.
• Good Vibes is a recognition engine that amplifies those digital thumbs-ups and pats on the back, creating opportunities to better connect and support employees.
• Opportunities to uplift each other aren’t something to take for granted, and simple acts of recognition have a big impact on morale and motivation.

The importance of employee recognition

Annual performance reviews can be a source of stress for both managers and employees. There’s a lot of prep work involved for managers and anticipation coming from employees. But beyond the paperwork and anxiety, performance reviews reveal a fundamental truth: recognition is essential for fostering a positive workplace. 

Research has consistently shown that employees who feel appreciated are more engaged, productive, and committed to their jobs. But are companies fulfilling this need through and through? 

As SHRM highlights, a whopping 81% of employees feel they would be more committed to their jobs if they felt their efforts were better recognized. Clearly, we have work to do.

Is solely relying on the traditional approach to performance reviews enough to create a culture of recognition? Companies like GE, Adobe, and Netflix have recognized the limitations of annual reviews and have moved towards more frequent feedback sessions. It’s a shift in mindset that shows an understanding of the need for ongoing recognition and support in the workplace.

What else, then, outside of feedback? Recognition isn’t just about saying the occasional “thank you” — it’s about injecting moments of appreciation into everyday interactions. It doesn’t even have to relate to performance.

#SpreadingGoodVibes challenge recap

Our #SpreadingGoodVibes challenge is a testament to the power of recognition in driving positive workplace culture. Our participants have shared heartwarming stories of appreciation, highlighting the impact that simple acts of recognition have on morale and motivation. From shout-outs for going the extra mile to expressions of gratitude for everyday acts of kindness, our #SpreadingGoodVibes challenge has reminded us all that opportunities to uplift each other aren’t something to take for granted.

💌 Keep the challenge going! Check out the three Good Vibes below, think of a person who fits the prompt, tag them, and share why you appreciate them:

• Who completely redefines what "good leadership" looks like?
• Who are you most proud of lately?
• Who makes your day instantly better?

Workleap Officevibe's Good Vibes: A meaningful way to inspire great work

Employee recognition has always been in our DNA. Giving recognition is the lifeline of the employee experience — and positive reinforcement and support is key to building up our employees so they can thrive.

That’s why we designed the Good Vibes feature in Officevibe — a recognition engine that amplifies those digital thumbs-ups and pats on the back. In times when the world can feel divided and full of chaos, gratitude and positivity across the screen at work can make a person’s day. This is especially true for remote and dispersed teams.

Appreciation should be part of everyone’s ethos. Good Vibes was made for managers and employees to be able to acknowledge peers and celebrate each other’s contributions, creating opportunities to better connect and support one another.

Custom vibes for the biggest impact

While too much recognition is rarely an issue, it’s important to make sure expressions of appreciation are genuine and have substance. A generic kudos might not hit home the same way as a thoughtful shoutout. Personalizing the message is key — we cannot stress this enough!

Although, it is often said that a message is 50% content and 50% delivery. Not all moments of recognition are created equal, and introverted and extroverted employees respond to different displays of appreciation. So, it might be time to reconsider your public praise walls as the catch-all for recognition efforts.

What makes effective employee recognition? A few questions to help customize each moment of recognition:

• Are they comfortable with public recognition, or do they prefer a one-on-one approach?
• Is this recognition aligned with our company values?
• Is it authentic and coming from the heart?
• Is this voluntary, or am I trying to meet a quota?

Remember: effective employee recognition is timely, relevant, and personal. When employees receive a message of praise or encouragement that feels considered to them and connected to the bigger picture, they feel even more empowered in their value within the company.

Prompts for inspiring recognition

There’s no time like the present to join our #SpreadingGoodVibes challenge. What moments of recognition could you create with a colleague? Here are some prompts to help you get inspired, taken from our Good Vibes feature:

• Who’s been a ray of sunshine lately?
• Who inspires the team to keep working hard?
• Who gives feedback in an honest yet respectful way?
• Who makes sure everyone gets a chance to share their perspective?

Not everyone has a knack for words, but Good Vibes prompts help nudge the less creative employees in the right direction. That said, you can build your own library of recognition prompts by investigating what motivates your employees the most through Pulse Surveys.

Recognition IRL: Good Vibes success stories

We love a good success story! Discover how some companies are leveraging the power of our Good Vibes feature to transform their workplace cultures and celebrate their employees' contributions.

Thirdbridge: A healthier, happier feedback loop 

At Thirdbridge, implementing Workleap’s Officevibe transformed their feedback culture — with Good Vibes as a fan favorite feature. By embracing continuous improvement and using feedback to drive progress, the company has created a workplace where every voice is heard and valued.

My favorite feature is the Good Vibes tool because I love sending people private recognition letting them know how much I love working with them.

Virginie, Marketing Coordinator

Aunalytics: Building recognition into its culture

Aunalytics was one of our first clients to use Good Vibes — and the feature was a game-changer. By fostering a culture of recognition, Aunalytics has increased morale, strengthened team bonds, and enhanced the overall employee experience.

The Good Vibes prompts are also super helpful because they get people thinking about actions or behaviors that wouldn’t traditionally get a shoutout. They’re unique, fun, and quirky! And they keep recognition top of mind for our managers and team members.

Mary-Jo Ogren

Canidé: Big on team recognition

At Canidé, recognition isn't just a gesture — it's a cornerstone of their culture. By leveraging Good Vibes to boost peer-to-peer recognition, Canidé has fortified gratitude, strengthened team bonds, and built a positive company culture where every contribution is celebrated.

Sometimes [recognition] looks like a small gesture, but it has a big impact.

Rachel Desbiens-Després, CEO

Good Vibes today and every day

While Employee Appreciation Day is an excellent opportunity to celebrate, building a culture of recognition is an ongoing effort. We encourage organizations to continue spreading good vibes every day by celebrating their employees' achievements and contributions. Trust us — it’ll transform your workplace into a buzzing hub of motivation and engagement!

Join us in spreading good vibes and building a brighter future for work. Share your #SpreadingGoodVibes post on LinkedIn, and don't forget to tag us!