Leadership isn't just about managing teams and organizations, it's also about recognizing and appreciating the hard work of others. Studies have shown that employee recognition and appreciation are crucial components in driving up employee morale and motivation. Leaders who take the time to acknowledge the contributions of their team members not only boost their spirits but also inspire them to continue to perform at their best. According to a recent survey, 70% of employees who feel recognized for their work are more motivated to excel, while only 30% of employees who don't feel recognized are motivated to do their best. Additionally, top performers who feel appreciated are less likely to leave their current employer, reducing the cost and time associated with recruitment processes. A separate study discovered that employees who feel valued tend to have a positive outlook towards their work, increased productivity, and higher job satisfaction. In fact, a report by the

Awards programs and choice have not always gone hand in hand. It was generally accepted that whatever the manager or boss thought was sufficient to give to employees to recognize achievements was sufficient and achieved the goals of motivating the employees. We know that to be totally false! People like choice but too much choice can be a bad thing. It's like Goldilocks, she didn't want to burn her tongue on the porridge that was too hot and the porridge that was too cold was not very tasty. It took her unt il the third bowl to find the porridge that was just right, and baby bear may not of thought it was the right temperature for him, even though it was perfect for Miss Locks. The point of this is there is not a one size fits all approach to this recognition thing. The goals themselves will often times be different. One thing is for sure though, you need to approach it with goals in mind and then approach it accordingly. Plaques and awards are the second most used re