How Recognising Colleagues Can Impact Workplace Relationships

We've all experienced it before: we go out of our way to help a colleague, but when recognition comes around, we're left feeling unappreciated. Unfortunately, this happens more often than we'd like to admit. Failing to recognise a colleague's contributions can lead to negative outcomes, such as decreased willingness to offer future support and weaker workplace connections.

One recent example shared in a focus group highlights the issue. An employee described how he helped a co-worker on a Friday night, even though he wasn't involved in her project and it wasn't required of him. He did it because they had worked together before and she seemed to need help. However, the next week, the co-worker recognised other people for their contributions, but not him. He felt hurt and angry, and when asked if he would help her in the future, he said "She can jump in a lake."

Failing to recognise colleagues for their contributions can lead to weaker workplace connections and can also extend to weaker connections outside of work. Conversely, providing recognition can lead to stronger future support and connections.

Therefore, it's essential to recognise and appreciate colleagues frequently and publicly. Celebrate the small victories and the big successes, and show gratitude for colleagues' contributions. Building a culture of recognition can go a long way in promoting a positive workplace atmosphere, increasing morale, and ultimately improving productivity.

Take a moment to assess your team's recognition practices. Is there a lot of recognition and support between team members, or is there room for improvement? By prioritizing recognition, we can build stronger relationships with our colleagues and ultimately create a more positive and productive work environment.

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