Leadership Skills

Reward Your Team

Just as people are motivated by different things, individuals prefer different types of rewards. For some people, plaques and trophies are valued, some would prefer gift certificates, and for other people, simply saying thank you is enough. In order to recognize your team members, you must know them well enough to know what they value.

Some managers believe that employees are paid for performance and that additional rewards are unnecessary; however, giving a little extra will help build your team environment and show that their efforts were appreciated. While individual rewards may be given, if your organization wants a team-centered workplace, teams should be celebrated rather than outstanding individuals.

Here is a list of some rewards:

Say "thank you"
Write a note of thanks
Office certificate or plaque
Take the team out for lunch (or bring lunch in)
Bring in snacks or goodies
Create "free day" coupons to give a full or half day off work without using leave
Allow flex hours for the work schedule
Develop a weekly, fun activity
Provide flowers (maybe from a local garden)
Gym or spa memberships
Create a wall of fame
Designated employee-of-the-month (or week for teams) parking
Coffee coupons
Movie tickets
Concert or theatre tickets
Articles in local newsletters, company website, or newspapers
Certificate for professional development activity
Contribution to charity
Annual appreciate barbeque or picnic

To build a cooperative team-oriented workplace, managers will need to be forthright with expectations and be available to check in with each team's progress toward their goals. Setting the bar for expectations will create goodwill and allow teams to be successful. Implementing a informal reward system can add fun to the workplace environment.

Leadership Skills
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Velda Arnaud, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Lead, Educate, Serve Society
leadeducateserve@gmail.com