Like it or loathe it, the official day of romance is upon us. Whether you think it’s a cute custom or a commercial con, it’s the one time of year where we’re encouraged (granted, mostly by restauranteurs, florists and chocolatiers) to show our loved ones, well, some love. But what have cupid and co got to do with recognising and rewarding your employees? Call us crazy (in love), but when it comes to sparking up the passion of your people, there are some very simple gestures that can go a long way in building engagement. And most of them won’t cost you a penny.
Free love
No, not the hippy kind. We all know that the best things in life are free. When you whisper those three little words to your loved ones it costs you nothing, but in the right moment it means so much. The same applies to your people. A simple, sincere “thank you” said with a smile, or a personal shout-out in a team meeting for a job well done, can mean everything. And the more specific the better; praising someone for going ‘the extra mile’ is great but explaining exactly how they did it in front of their peers will make it extra special (and it will probably inspire others too). These ‘little big things’ can make your people feel really loved. And they’re free.
Feeling heard
We’ve probably all been in an argument with a loved one and been accused of not listening, and the chances are, we’ve also felt like we weren’t being heard at some point too! Having feedback forums like townhalls, open mic sessions and pulse surveys are excellent ways to gauge how your people are feeling – and to show that you’re listening. But only when you do something about that feedback will your people feel truly heard. Some say that you can’t learn to truly love until you can learn to truly listen.
Hearts and minds
Look, nobody in their right mind is going to turn down a financial bonus. But should rewards and recognition be about hearts, as well as minds? Expensive flowers and a posh dinner might stick in the mind, but something more meaningful that comes from the heart, can be worth much more. A handwritten thank you card (heart) is worth more than an email (mind). Giving someone the day off on their birthday (heart) is worth more than a cake and some candles (mind). Just as there’s more to love than champagne and roses, there’s more to rewards than a bonus. We all know the phrase ‘hearts and minds’, but there’s a reason why ‘hearts’ comes first.
The language of love
If you’ve never read the Five Love Languages by Dr. Gary Chapman, then do yourself a favour. You’ll discover that everyone in the world has one – and once you’ve learned your partner’s – you’ll be able to love them in the way that they want to be loved. Now apply this principle to your people: How do they want to be recognised and rewarded, on an individual level? What do they like doing when they’re not at work? Could you reward them with more flexible hours? Concert or sports tickets? If they live for their Tuesday night yoga class, how can you make sure they always get there? Are they motivated by gifts? Kind gestures? Or perhaps compliments and praise? Just as it’s important to know your partner’s Valentine’s preferences, knowing what makes your people tick is the key to rewarding them.
Meaningful moments
We’re willing to wager that one of the most common conversations at those romantic tables-for-two this week will be: “Do you remember our first date?”. In our romantic relationships, we remember those important moments; where we first met, what first attracted us to each other, our wonderful wedding day. Why? Because those memories are filled with meaning for us. Your company’s purpose, mission and values are a great way to contextualise your rewards. If you can show your people how their work has benefited the business or how well it has aligned with your company’s values, then you’ll create real meaning. And they’re more likely to remember it.
Love is all around
One of the big reasons that haters love to hate Valentine’s Day is because (they say) we should be showing our love not just on one day, but every day. This might be true, but there’s nothing wrong with a bit of extra romance, right? Valentine’s Day can reenergise, realign, reaffirm and even rekindle a relationship. It’s a one-off event, but it shouldn’t end at midnight on 14th Feb; it should be the beginning of a year-long wave of love! Recognising your people is no different. Live events and experiences such as conferences, meetings and awards ceremonies are great ways to spark something, but once the event is over, you should keep the fun (and the love!) going throughout the year. Applying this kind of ‘campaign thinking’ to your employee engagement programmes is a bit like your romantic relationships. It might take a bit of time and a bit of work, but in the end, the rewards will be worth it. For you and for them.
