Healthcare and the Importance of Recognition In The Workplace

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Typically most health care and caregiving organizations want to create a “patients first” focus or philosophy. In my experience, most caregivers buy into the mission and values of the healthcare organization. But, those who are most energized typically get personal praise in addition to formal recognition. As you know, recognition in the workplace is a critical link that drives employee engagement. And, engaged employees drive better patient experiences. When leaders in the caregiving environment personalize the recognition process it helps ensure that caregivers get timely feedback and individualized recognition.

Consistent delivery of world-class care and patient experiences starts with creating consistent and world-class employee and caregiver experiences. Timely, specific, personalized and sincere recognition in the workplace will help support any healthcare organization’s focus on the patient and exceptional patient care.

Here are some powerful yet simple ideas to create better recognition and engagement in a caregiving environment (or ANY environment):

• The best way to let someone know you notice the good work they do is to personally thank them.  It is hard to believe that something so simple, that can be done so quickly, can have so much power and lasting benefit.
• Simply asking someone for his or her opinion can be a powerful form of recognition. It validates that person has knowledge, skills and experience that can help you the manager, and the entire organization. It is especially important to ask someone’s opinion about how they do or do not like to be recognized.  For instance, some caregivers enjoy being praised publicly, while others would prefer receiving praise privately on a one-on-one basis. The very act of taking the time to ask can help you learn a little bit more about your team member, while helping them feel supported and involved.
• The best recognition also starts with good timing. The sooner you acknowledge a job well done, a good performance or behavior, the more likely you are to have that behavior repeated. The key is to reinforce specifically what it is you are recognizing and why you are recognizing the caregiver for it.
• The glue that holds these elements of recognition together is keeping in mind that the recognition must be appropriate both for the situation and the individual. Every caregiver deserves recognition, not just the top performers. Each one of your caregivers is doing something that should be recognized in a way they like to be recognized for it.

Personalized recognition and praise is a message you cannot deliver enough.  In fact, research shows that providing some form of sincere recognition each and every week for doing good work is a key factor in promoting high levels of employee engagement.

It is also a message your caregivers (or employees) cannot hear enough. Especially when it is real, when it is done in a timely context, and when it comes from the heart.