18 Employee Recognition Strategies from Different Companies
We asked industry experts to share an example of how their company encourages employee recognition—and how this has impacted their team’s morale. Discover innovative approaches, from cross-departmental recognition to personalized gestures, that can create a culture of appreciation and boost engagement.
- Cross-Departmental Recognition Transforms Team Dynamics
- Everyday Culture of Appreciation Boosts Engagement
- Multi-Layered Recognition System Drives Innovation
- Peer-to-Peer Software Fosters Supportive Culture
- Personal Gestures Create Positive Team Spirit
- Micro Spotlights Strengthen Collaboration and Trust
- Legacy Moments Foster Belonging in Remote Teams
- Impact Moments Initiative Enhances Employee Value
- Subtle Public Recognition Avoids Workplace Jealousy
- Regular Shout-Outs Encourage Peer Appreciation
- Peer-Driven Recognition Builds Loyalty and Support
- Empowering Employees Boosts Morale and Opportunities
- Employee of the Month Program Improves Engagement
- Real-Time Recognition Reinforces Positive Behavior
- Personalized Gifts Show Appreciation for Individuals
- Client Impact Spotlight Motivates Exceptional Service
- Virtual Recognition Sessions Unite Remote Teams
- Consistent Acknowledgment Builds Loyal Motivated Team
Cross-Departmental Recognition Transforms Team Dynamics
We’ve found that fostering cross-departmental recognition can transform team dynamics. We started a simple practice called “Thank You Thursdays.” It’s not just about exchanging gratitude messages; it’s a space where teams are encouraged to spotlight specific contributions that often fly under the radar. For example, the marketing team might recognize the IT department for their quick problem-solving that helped run a campaign smoothly. This practice has shifted perspectives by making everyone feel seen and appreciated beyond their immediate team.
It’s not unusual for someone in web design to thank a member of the finance team for streamlining a process that saved time. This kind of recognition bolsters morale as employees realize their efforts impact the entire company. It’s powerful to see how valued each role becomes in contributing to shared goals, leading to higher engagement and collaboration across the board.
Sinoun Chea
CEO and Founder, ShiftWeb
Everyday Culture of Appreciation Boosts Engagement
One of the ways we encourage employee recognition is by making it part of our everyday culture, not just formal reviews.
We introduced a simple but powerful practice: a dedicated Teams channel called #cheers where anyone can recognize a teammate publicly, whether it’s for crushing a deadline, supporting someone behind the scenes, or simply living our values in small ways.
What makes it work is that it’s not top-down.
We believe that recognition doesn’t need a fancy platform.
It just needs to be real and regular. Peers recognize each other. Managers jump in. Leadership amplifies it.
We also spotlight a few shout-outs in our weekly team huddle, so appreciation isn’t just typed; it’s voiced and heard.
Jyoti Tewari
Director HR, Webuters Technologies Pvt Ltd
Multi-Layered Recognition System Drives Innovation
I’ve learned that employee recognition in a fast-paced SaaS environment requires both consistency and authenticity. We’ve implemented a multi-layered recognition system that goes beyond traditional approaches.
Our most effective initiative is “Impact Spotlights” — weekly team meetings where we highlight specific achievements with measurable outcomes. For example, when our engineering team reduced email sending latency by 40%, we didn’t just announce it; we shared customer feedback showing how this improvement directly boosted their campaign performance.
We also created “Peer Recognition Tokens” — a system where team members can award points to colleagues for exceptional collaboration, which convert to meaningful rewards like professional development budgets or extra PTO days.
The impact has been remarkable. Our employee satisfaction scores increased from 7.2 to 8.9 out of 10, and voluntary turnover dropped by 60% since implementing these programs. Most importantly, we’ve seen a cultural shift where recognition flows naturally in both directions — team members now proactively celebrate each other’s wins, creating a positive feedback loop that drives innovation and retention.
Vaibhav Namburi
Founder, Smartlead.ai
Peer-to-Peer Software Fosters Supportive Culture
At our agency, we encourage employee recognition through peer-to-peer recognition software, which allows team members to award points to one another for their everyday accomplishments. These points are redeemable for small rewards or experiences.
We believe in frequent recognition for both small and larger achievements, which helps boost team morale.
This program has had a positive impact on our team’s engagement and overall morale, fostering a culture of appreciation and support.
Gursharan Singh
Co-Founder, WebSpero Solutions
Personal Gestures Create Positive Team Spirit
Recognizing my team is something I care deeply about. One thing I do is give shout-outs during our regular check-ins whenever someone goes above and beyond, such as receiving great feedback from a customer or helping out a coworker without being asked. I also send personal thank-you texts or small gift cards to show my appreciation. It’s amazing how these simple gestures lift everyone’s spirits. People feel seen and valued, which has created a more positive vibe and made us all want to support each other even more.
Hyacinth Tucker
Owner and CEO, The Laundry Basket LLC
Micro Spotlights Strengthen Collaboration and Trust
Our work is rooted in visibility, so it only makes sense that we extend that same principle internally. One way we encourage employee recognition is through what we call “Micro Spotlights.” Each week, during our internal check-in, one team member highlights a win, innovation, or thoughtful action from another. It’s not always tied to performance metrics — it could be a client breakthrough, a moment of clarity during strategy, or simply stepping up behind the scenes.
This has done more than boost morale — it’s created a culture of attentiveness and genuine appreciation. Recognition isn’t top-down. It’s peer-driven and intentional, which reinforces our values of collaboration, emotional intelligence, and shared purpose. It’s essential in a boutique firm like ours where creativity and trust are everything. When people feel seen, they show up more fully, and that ultimately strengthens our client work too.
Kristin Marquet
Founder & Creative Director, Marquet Media
Legacy Moments Foster Belonging in Remote Teams
We learned that remote teams need more than Slack emojis to be noticed. So we established a simple internal tradition, “Legacy Moments.” Every Friday, members of the team celebrate a fellow team member whose small or large actions improved someone’s day or the team’s workflow. It could be a teacher who tutored late, a support representative who calmed a stressed-out parent, or even a developer who killed a bug that saved everyone time.
We spotlight them company-wide with a short story, not just a name. Why? Because gratitude needs to be personal, not transactional.
Because we did this, team forum participation grew by 36%, and unpaid volunteer work on school-wide projects increased. More importantly, we saw quieter team members step up as leaders — because they finally felt like what they did mattered.
It isn’t just about morale. It’s about belonging. And in online education, that sense of belonging starts behind the scenes — with our team.
Vasilii Kiselev
CEO & Co-Founder, Legacy Online School
Impact Moments Initiative Enhances Employee Value
We’ve learned that recognition isn’t a “nice to have” — it’s a strategic imperative. One of the most effective programs we’ve implemented is our “Impact Moments” initiative, which evolved organically during the pandemic and has since become a foundational part of our company culture.
Every Friday, we hold a 20-minute wrap-up huddle across teams — whether hybrid or remote — where we dedicate time to peer-to-peer shoutouts. Each team member is encouraged to recognize a colleague who made an impact that week. The key is authenticity over formality. This might be someone who went above and beyond for a client, helped troubleshoot an internal issue, offered emotional support, or simply brought levity during a stressful sprint.
We record these recognitions in a shared #impact-moments Slack channel, which becomes a living archive of encouragement, gratitude, and growth. We then refer back to this log during performance reviews, professional development planning, and team retrospectives. The visibility and continuity of praise help us spotlight unsung heroes — not just those with flashy wins.
What’s been truly transformative, though, is how this simple practice has shifted team dynamics. New hires often tell us that being publicly acknowledged in their first week made them feel immediately welcomed and valued. Team leads use these recognitions as data points for coaching and mentorship.
We’ve also built quarterly “Gratitude Walls,” where employees can leave anonymous sticky-note-style messages for colleagues, which are later turned into short video montages during team events. These moments are often emotional and reaffirm the human side of work — especially in fast-paced, high-stakes environments like career coaching and organizational consulting.
The impact on morale has been profound. Not only have our internal engagement surveys shown a marked increase in employees feeling “seen and appreciated,” but we’ve also seen improved retention, higher collaboration, and even stronger client satisfaction as a ripple effect of internal recognition.
In my experience, recognition isn’t about rewards or grand gestures — it’s about frequent, meaningful acknowledgment of effort and humanity. When people know they matter, they show up differently. They lead, support, and innovate more boldly. And as a leader, that’s the culture I want to grow.
Miriam Groom
CEO, Mindful Career Inc., Mindful Career Coaching
Subtle Public Recognition Avoids Workplace Jealousy
I think “public recognition” works only if done correctly. There are so many ways to go wrong. You can end up sparking jealousy among peers and make others feel underappreciated by over-praising someone. The key is to keep it genuine and subtle.
The first thing I would do is give a public shout-out during meetings. It boosts employee morale when they are being praised in front of their colleagues (and not alone).
Then, I follow up with a personalized thank-you note with something written like: Thank you for your outstanding effort in the last quarter. A company merch (coffee mug or pen) would be some extra personal touch. Such recognitions don’t cost much, yet they hit the right place.
Paul Raphael Gomes
Founder // AI Marketing Specialist, Benwil Marketing Agency
Regular Shout-Outs Encourage Peer Appreciation
I make it a point to give a shout-out to at least one team member during each group meeting we have. I try to ensure that I am giving shout-outs equally, but I also make sure to make them specific to the good things they are all individually doing. This helps keep morale high during every meeting, and I think it has also encouraged many of my employees to do similar things for each other, shouting each other out regularly.
Edward Tian
CEO, GPTZero
Peer-Driven Recognition Builds Loyalty and Support
One of the best things we’ve done to reinforce morale is shifting employee recognition from being top-down to peer-driven. Early on, I realized that the most meaningful praise often didn’t come from me — it came from the coworkers who saw each other in the trenches every day. So, we built a system around that.
Every Friday, we hold a short all-staff meeting. Part of that time is carved out for what we call “shout-outs” — quick, informal recognitions from staff to staff. No script. No approval needed. Anyone can acknowledge a colleague for something they appreciated that week, whether it was covering a shift, helping with a tough case, or just showing up with a positive attitude when the day was rough.
What I love about this is that it’s specific. It’s not, “Great job, team.” It’s, “I saw you go above and beyond for a family that was struggling to make a decision, and that helped move the needle.” That kind of recognition reinforces our values in real time. It’s not performative — it’s personal.
The impact? Real. People feel seen. Our turnover has dropped. Our team culture is tighter. And when things get heavy — as they often do in addiction recovery — there’s a real sense that we’ve got each other’s backs.
Here’s what I’ve learned: formal awards have their place, but if you want to build a healthy culture, make praise part of the rhythm — not just the highlight reel. Create space where people can recognize each other honestly and often. It doesn’t cost you anything, and it builds the kind of loyalty money can’t buy.
Andy Danec
Owner, Ridgeline Recovery LLC
Empowering Employees Boosts Morale and Opportunities
One way we encourage employee recognition is by giving our team real ownership — not just in the work, but in the brand itself. We let them lead social media takeovers, represent us at industry events, and speak on panels, ensuring they’re seen as part of the bigger picture. We also actively encourage them to network, build relationships, and grow their personal brands alongside ours.
This kind of visibility and trust goes a long way. It has boosted morale, sparked new opportunities, and created a team culture where everyone feels valued and invested.
Trevor Perkins
Founder, PERK PR & Creative Agency
Employee of the Month Program Improves Engagement
We understand that employee recognition plays a key role in maintaining high morale and fostering a positive work environment. One example of how we encourage recognition is through our “Employee of the Month” program. Every month, employees are nominated by their peers based on their performance, teamwork, and contributions to company goals. The chosen employee is recognized at our monthly team meeting and is rewarded with a personalized gift and extra time off.
This recognition has had a significant positive impact on morale. Employees feel valued and appreciated for their hard work, and the program encourages a culture of mutual respect. It also fosters healthy competition, motivating the team to continuously improve and support each other.
As a result, we’ve noticed increased engagement, stronger collaboration, and a more positive work atmosphere overall. Our employee recognition program has not only improved individual morale but has also strengthened our team’s commitment to the company’s success. Celebrating the achievements of our employees has been crucial to maintaining a motivated and dedicated workforce.
Stephen Rahavy
President, Kitchenall
Real-Time Recognition Reinforces Positive Behavior
We believe recognition shouldn’t be reserved for performance reviews; it should happen in real time. We use a simple but effective practice. In our weekly team meetings, anyone can give a quick shoutout to a teammate who stepped up, helped out, or solved a tough problem. It takes 5 minutes, but it consistently boosts morale and reinforces the kind of behavior we want more of.
We’ve also built this into our async culture. We use a dedicated Slack channel where wins, big or small, get highlighted by peers across the team. It reinforces progress and keeps everyone aware of what’s moving the business forward.
People feel seen, and that reinforces ownership. It’s helped us keep the team motivated and connected, especially in a fast-paced, remote-friendly environment.
Alex Smereczniak
Co-Founder & CEO, Franzy
Personalized Gifts Show Appreciation for Individuals
We believe that recognition is something you do frequently within the course of a workday, not once a year. When someone on our team is going the extra mile, hitting a big milestone, or being supportive in some meaningful way, we recognize it.
We don’t simply say “good job.” We give an individualized gift, a small but personal item that is emblematic of who they are. It’s sometimes something customized from our own product line. Other times, it’s something related to a team memory or personal inclination. The goal is to recognize the person, not just the performance.
I’ve had decades of business advice and HR experience, but there’s always something that remains the same: if individuals are made to feel important, they take more pride in the work they’re doing and the people they’re working for. It raises spirits, gets the team to trust each other, and motivates people to keep going.
Recognition is something bigger than sentimental acts. It is good business. It encourages worker participation, assists in retention, and builds a stronger, better team.
We’ve built our business on the principle of treating our team, and our customers’ team members, the same. Events and branded gifts are how we show our customers they’re valued, and where the magic of change begins.
Charly Huang
HR Expert and Senior Advisor, AceBallMarkers
Client Impact Spotlight Motivates Exceptional Service
As a real estate business owner, I’ve seen firsthand how employee recognition directly impacts team spirit and client service. It’s not just about grand gestures; consistent, meaningful acknowledgment builds a loyal and motivated team.
Our company encourages employee recognition through a “Client Impact Spotlight” program, which directly ties individual efforts to our mission of delivering outstanding client results. This isn’t just about sales numbers, but the quality of service.
Here’s how we achieve it and its impact:
Each month, our team members (including myself) nominate colleagues for a “Client Impact Spotlight.” Nominations highlight specific instances where an individual went above and beyond to provide exceptional service, solve a complex client problem, or exemplify our values of integrity and determination in a client interaction. These nominations include a brief story of the positive impact. The chosen individual is publicly recognized in our team meeting, receives a personalized thank-you note, and a small, thoughtful gift (e.g., a gift certificate to their favorite local coffee shop or a book related to their interests).
This program has profoundly impacted our team’s morale:
- Increased Visibility & Value: It ensures that critical “behind-the-scenes” efforts, which might otherwise go unnoticed, are celebrated. Everyone feels seen and valued for their unique contributions to client success.
- Reinforced Values: By linking recognition directly to client impact, it consistently reinforces our core mission and values, reminding everyone what truly matters in our business.
- Enhanced Collaboration: Team members actively look for opportunities to recognize each other, fostering a more supportive and collaborative environment. This “peer-to-peer” recognition creates a positive feedback loop.
- Boosted Motivation: Knowing their efforts directly contribute to tangible results for clients, and that these efforts will be acknowledged, highly motivates the team. It transforms daily tasks into meaningful contributions.
Ultimately, by focusing on recognition that highlights their direct positive impact, our team feels more connected to our mission, more valued for their work, and more energized to continue delivering exceptional service.
Kim Lee
Licensed Realtor, Kim Lee – Vancouver Realtor
Virtual Recognition Sessions Unite Remote Teams
We make employee recognition a core part of our culture. We hold monthly virtual “Wins & Thanks” sessions where team members publicly acknowledge each other’s contributions, big or small. We also use a digital recognition platform where peers can send shoutouts instantly, which everyone sees. This consistent, authentic recognition has boosted morale, fostered a sense of belonging, and strengthened collaboration, especially in our remote and international teams. Employees feel valued and motivated, which translates to better performance and lower turnover. Recognizing people’s efforts regularly reminds them they’re not just workers — they’re an essential part of our success.
Philip Ruffini
Co-Founder, Hire Overseas
Consistent Acknowledgment Builds Loyal Motivated Team
We truly value intent and willingness to grow. One of our team members joined with an academic writing background, eager to learn SEO. Within five months, she was delivering 20 blogs a month, and today, she’s shaping content strategies. Recognizing her journey really lifted the team’s spirit and reminded us that with the right mindset, talent can always be nurtured.
Bodhisattwa Chowdhury
CEO, Contentus Digital Private Limited
