The power of saying thank you at work
“The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated.” - William James
With every second that goes by, the world seems to be remarkably evolving. From dynamites to drones, from record-keeping books to excel sheets, and to the present grandeur of Artificial Intelligence — human life has endured a significant amount of change and transformation unlike any other species. While we are embracing technology more than ever, we are also quietly slipping into a trance of being overindulged in the so-called rat race or the hustle culture. The question is no longer who is the fittest of all, but who is the smartest, tech-savviest, and most future-ready of all.
In this constant race of being a step forward, the individual hustle or in the majority of the situation the individual struggle has amplified to the point where it has taken a toll on the physical and mental peace of working professionals across industries. Gone are the days when getting a degree could secure a job until retirement, because now it’s not only about degrees, but internships, skill sets, additional certificate courses, and continuous upgradation of the professional self, all while keeping the third eye focused on geopolitics, stock market, rising costs, and the fear of artificial intelligence taking jobs.
The impact is such that the World Health Organisation (WHO) & International Labour Organisation Study on Long Working Hours found 745,000 annual deaths because of heart disease and strokes are linked to long working hours. Whereas the Gallup – State of the Global Workplace Report points to 86% of employees struggling or suffering in its India findings. In another study called the Workplace Burnout Report, conducted by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) & Boston Consulting Group, 58% of Indian professionals have experienced burnout due to constant work demands; this number is 10% more than the global average. With such staggering numbers, one ponders the long-term repercussions and what to do to find remedies for an exhaustive working population.
In such an environment, employee appreciation becomes essential and more than a ceremonial gesture. The art of recognition and praise, a balanced and flexible workplace, are essentially the driving forces behind tackling the exhausted workforce. These generous acts of appreciation, recognition of efforts, praise of well-executed tasks, and empathy during difficult times cement a deeper connection between employees and the organisation, boosting morale and confidence in an environment where employees believe that they are not resources but people driving progress.
Mary Kay Ash, the founder of Mary Kay Inc., summed up well when she said, “There are two things people want more than sex and money — recognition and praise”, which is why on this Employee Appreciation Day, celebrated on the first Friday of March – companies should take pride in their employees, appreciate them, and ensure their well-being; for every profit accomplished there stands employees whose efforts sustain the companies. A gesture of appreciation may be small, but it fosters belief and comfort, boosting morale – something missing in this remarkably evolving world.
Author - AK Sharma
Designation - Independent Consultant
