Really the issue is much wider than just how to show appreciation at work', it's more a question of understanding why you would want to. In the work environment there is no point in showing appreciation just for the sake of it or because you want to be seen to be a good boss or a good colleague, you need to do it because it will benefit your business enormously.

There's plenty of research around on this subject. Going back to the 1940s a psychologist called Abraham Maslow did some research that demonstrated that a human beings motivation starts at a fundamental basic need for food, water and shelter, but once that is satisfied it is followed by security and social needs, and then higher needs such as self-esteem and what he describes as self actualization. Equate that into a work environment and once you have the salary you need you go on to strive for recognition and appreciation to fulfill your self-esteem needs.

There's also plenty of research around that shows that most employees move on from an organization not because of the salary but because of their manager. You know how it feels - if you don't get on with your boss it's real drag to get out from under the duvet and go into work every day. Surely you don't want to be that person? You want to be a good leader who can motivate your employees and do well for the organisation - whatever company you are in and whatever job you do. To be that good leader you need to not just focus on the tasks that need doing but also on the people that are doing them - the human beings!

So now that you're convinced of the need to show appreciation, what might you do? Well first of all, and as obvious as it might sound, say thank you! There's nothing more simple and easy to do than to thank someone for a job well done. And don't just email them with a standard couple of sentences, go round and see them if you can and tell them face to face.

You could also give them a financial bonus, if your policies allow it, or you could just take them out to lunch or buy them a box of biscuits or a bunch of flowers depending upon the extent of the work you're thanking them for.

People who are keen and motivated are always keen to develop themselves further, so even if you can't give them a financial bonus, support for doing some particular training is likely to be well received. Alternatively you could show your trust in them by giving them another project to do - something they are interested in that they know is important to the business.

So try to crank up your employees' happiness indicators to the top of the scale and go and tell them how great they are! You will most definitely reap what you sow.

Learn more about this author, Justine Lynn.
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