How to banish burnout with the positive power of recognition
In today’s fast-paced and demanding work environments, burnout has become prevalent, affecting people across all kinds of professions.
Emotional exhaustion, cynicism, an avoidance of work and a reduced sense of personal accomplishment are all key characteristics of burnout.
While there are several contributing factors, one critical aspect that often goes overlooked is the role of poor recognition.
When recognition is lacking or inadequate, it can hit an individual’s wellbeing and job satisfaction hard. The connection between high rates of burnout and poor recognition is evident in multiple ways.
Employee motivation
Firstly, a lack of recognition undermines employee motivation. When individuals invest time and energy into their work, they naturally seek acknowledgment for their contributions.
Recognition provides positive reinforcement, boosting morale and motivation. However, when employees consistently go unrecognised, their motivation diminishes and they may feel futility and disillusionment. This can lead to a fall in productivity and an increased risk of burnout.
Poor recognition also creates a culture of indifference and neglect. When employees see their colleagues being overlooked or undervalued, it generates a pervasive sense of unfairness and demoralisation.
This toxic work environment creates resentment and discourages teamwork and collaboration, with employees more likely to feel isolated from their colleagues and experience anxiety and/or burnout.
Additionally, the absence of recognition hampers personal and professional growth. Feedback and acknowledgment are crucial for individuals to develop their skills and refine their performance.
Left in the dark
Without constructive recognition, employees are left in the dark about their strengths and areas for improvement. This lack of guidance can be disheartening and hinder their progress. Over time, the stagnation caused by the absence of recognition can contribute to burnout, as individuals feel trapped and unfulfilled in their roles.
Effective leaders understand the importance of recognising and validating their employees’ efforts. When managers fail to acknowledge the everyday efforts and hard work of their team members, it creates a disconnection and erodes trust.
On the contrary, leaders who prioritise recognition foster a positive work culture, where employees feel supported, motivated, and more resilient in the face of challenges.
To address the link between high rates of burnout and poor recognition, organisations must cultivate a culture of appreciation.
Recognising and rewarding employees should be an integral part of the organisational fabric. This can be achieved through various means, such as implementing formal recognition programmes, establishing a feedback-rich environment and encouraging peer-to-peer recognition.
Leading by example
It’s also crucial for leaders to lead by example and consistently recognise employees’ hard work in ways that are authentic and meaningful. The use of software that enables the timely giving of recognition as part of people’s daily flow of work is also important for achieving an appreciation culture.
In organisations where appreciation is highly integrated and becomes second nature, individuals’ performance and wellbeing, as well as the overall company culture, are all affected positively. According to O.C. Tanner’s 2023 Global Culture Report, integrated recognition reduces the odds of employee burnout by 80%. Plus, the creation of a thriving culture is 1,181% more likely.
Recognition is key to nurturing a culture in which employees feel appreciated, connected to others and with opportunities to develop and grow. By fostering a culture of appreciation, organisations can enhance employee engagement, job satisfaction and overall productivity while mitigating the risk of burnout.
In partnership with O. C. Tanner
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