Our own Phillip B. Wilson, President of LRI Consulting Services and author of the upcoming Leader-Shift Playbook, was recently quoted in a recent Entrepreneurial Organization (EO) blog post, “Gratitude in Action: How Top Entrepreneurs Recognize Their Teams on Employee Appreciation Day.” In the article, Wilson and other experts shared actionable strategies for leaders to build a culture of authentic appreciation that goes beyond surface-level gestures.
The Power of Authentic Appreciation
Wilson emphasized that the most effective appreciation isn’t about extravagant rewards but about answering the unspoken questions every team member has:
- Do you like me?
- Do you think I have what it takes?
- Do you think I’m worth the effort?
“Your interactions should answer one or more of those questions—but don’t just blurt out ‘I like you’—that’s creepy,” Wilson quipped. “Instead, share specific feedback that highlights how their actions make people like them. It’s a great way to show appreciation.”
This practical approach to appreciation aligns with insights from other entrepreneurs in the EO article, who highlighted the importance of recognizing employees in a way that feels both personal and meaningful.
