Originally published by Shervin Eftekhari in the Nashville Business Journal – March 1, 2019

March 1 is National Employee Appreciation Day, a chance to honor employees and express just how grateful you are to have them on your team.

While making it an official “holiday” helps us remember to pause and show employees our gratitude for their hard work, recognition can’t be limited to one day on a calendar. True appreciation for your employees’ contribution to the success of the organization requires a conscious effort to make it a part of the company’s culture every day.

As an employer, it is crucial to ask yourself, “How am I purposefully acknowledging my team?” Here’s what works for us:

Be Available

Employees feel valued when you make time for them. Whether it’s through one-on-one meetings, daily huddles or responding to your team member’s email in a timely manner, the importance of your availability cannot be understated. Sure, it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day responsibilities and appear too busy for the people around you, but being present and available shows your team that you value their time, which in turn makes for happier employees. Hold yourself accountable for regular check-ins.

When employees are in contact with their bosses, they actually enjoy their jobs more. In fact, according to a TinyPulse survey, the top reasons for employee dissatisfaction with a direct supervisor was a “lack of presence” and “limited interactions with team.” Keeping your employees engaged and feeling appreciated starts with showing up and being available.

One of the ways this principle is applied at Zander is by having bi-monthly “Q&A with Shervin” sessions with each department, allowing team members the opportunity to ask any questions they have about the business. Members of the executive management team also have an open-door policy to encourage employees to come in and make suggestions, address concerns, or simply enjoy an espresso with the company president.

Thank Them

Saying “thank you” to your employees is a given; showing them you are thankful is what lets them know you mean it.

Expressing gratitude does not have to be something extravagant or costly. Consider having lunch brought into the office or providing a monthly delivery of fresh fruit as an ongoing show of gratitude. If food isn’t a motivator for your team, remember that thoughtfulness is what matters. A simple thank-you note or email can also go a long way.

Another great way to foster appreciation is to develop a program that allows employees to thank each other. In our office, we have the “Prize Patrol,” where colleagues can recognize and reward their coworkers for nearly any reason, whether it’s for helping them with a challenging case or holding the door for them. Recipients of the prize patrol receive a notecard with the statement of gratitude from the co-worker and a gift card to a coffee shop or retail store.

Create a culture of thankfulness, and it will start manifesting to your team. When you express gratitude, your employees will show their gratefulness to each other.

Celebrate All Year