Top team recognition – Everyday actions worth shouting about

One of the great things about peer-to-peer recognition is that managers and organisation leaders can get an insight into the things their employees are doing that truly make a difference to the success of their teammates and the wider organisation.

Peer-to-peer recognition naturally lends itself to genuine feedback – it tends to be given in the moment because someone has done something that made a genuine impact. This kind of authenticity is a great motivator which can’t be replicated in processes such as formal performance reviews.

Here are some of the top activities employees are most likely to applaud their teammates for:

Creating a welcoming and friendly atmosphere

Starting a new job, moving offices or joining a different team – whichever it is, making a change at work can be a daunting experience, particularly if it involves working with people you haven’t had much contact with before. A friendly atmosphere is highly prized by employees - people are likely to give a shout-out to a teammate who has gone out of their way to make them feel welcomed and part of the team.

Sharing knowledge and expertise

Every employee brings their own set of skills and experience. One of the great things about working in a team is being able to lean on the invaluable expertise of your teammates when you find your own knowledge lacking. When a colleague takes time out of their day to share tips and tricks that help overcome an obstacle or solve a problem, it often helps the whole team move forward. Definitely worthy of a shout-out!

Providing valued opinions

Who doesn’t need a second opinion every now and again? Taking a piece of work to your boss or someone in a senior position may seem daunting and could even lead to somebody sitting on a piece of work unnecessarily. Teammates are often an employee’s first port of call when looking for feedback on a piece of work, and their advice (or simply words of encouragement) can often get that project heading in the right direction and give the employee the confidence they need to take it to the next stage. Of course, this exchange takes time so it’s always worth a quick ‘thank-you’ to a colleague to make sure they know their effort is appreciated.

Exchanging great ideas

Whether on a video call, in a brainstorming session or just in a text message, it can be invaluable to bounce ideas around with a colleague. They may bring a new concept to the table, offer a fresh perspective on a tricky problem, or just add the reassurance that a project is heading in the right direction. Either way, teammates are a great source of ideas and inspiration, and with peer-to-peer recognition everyone can make sure credit is always given where it’s due.

Finding a way

People often depend on their colleagues to help make their ideas a reality. Have you ever put forward a new concept or suggestion, then breathed a sigh of gratitude when a teammate said ‘I don’t know now, but let me look into it’? Collaborating with colleagues to find new ways of doing things keeps everyone moving forward, and when someone goes out of their way to make your ideas a reality, what’s better than to let them know they’re appreciated?

We’ve given you just a few examples, but the list goes on. The great thing about social recognition is that it doesn’t only give managers an insight into the everyday wins of their team, but it creates positive cycles that see everyone move forward together. Peer-to-peer recognition is known to drive reciprocation and beneficial action – as employees receive or see others receiving recognition, they are more likely to recognise the great work of their teammates, as well as continuing or adopting those praiseworthy actions themselves.

Visit the Access Applause Hub to find how social employee recognition software can help your team harness the power of ‘Thank you’.