Traditionally, workplace recognition comes from the top down. We hear "employee recognition" and picture company birthday cards, occasional service awards, milestone awards, and managers who keep the fires of engagement burning so that employee performance hums along. This is why peer-to-peer recognition is a game-changer.
This new mode has been democratizing the way we give and receive thanks. In fact, new research tells us that getting recognition from our colleagues can mean just as much — or even more — than getting a “Thanks for the good work!” from our superiors or HR professionals.
In fact, today’s youngest members of the workforce (Gen-Zers and young Millennials) are more likely to value praise from peers than any generation that’s come before. If we’re going to succeed in motivating the employees of tomorrow to go above and beyond, we have to embrace the new employee appreciation strategies of today.
What your peers say about you matters - how they say it matters even more
It’s no secret that recognition, especially when part of a strategic employee Recognition & Rewards program, leads to happier, more engaged workers, resulting in lower employee turnover rates and a better bottom line. But a lesser known fact is that the traditional, top-down method for giving recognition is, on its own, just not enough.
Before we get any farther in comparing types of recognition, here are a few critical metrics about the value of employee recognition.
- Giving recognition is the #1 motivator of employees
- The #1 reason people leave jobs is limited recognition and praise
- 81% of employees work harder when their boss shows appreciation
- 50% of employees would stay at their job longer if they felt appreciated
- Employees experience 28.6% lower frustration levels
- Employees are 25.4% more likely to understand company objectives
- Employee retention rates improve by 23.4%
What is top-down recognition?
Top-down recognition is pretty much what it sounds like. A manager or executive gives recognition to a direct report or someone serving at a lower position in the organizational hierarchy.
It could look like a manager giving positive verbal feedback during a 1-on-1 with their team member. Or sharing it publicly through a team Slack channel or at a company-wide event. Or even showcasing an employee’s accomplishments to customers through a company email or social media outlet such as LinkedIn.
Traditional top-down recognition is a staple of any employee recognition program. But on its own, it doesn’t quite capture all of the benefits recognition has to offer.
Here are some of the top-down’s pros and cons:
Three benefits of top-down recognition
- Top-down recognition increases employee engagement. Recognition boosts employee engagement—period. In fact, one Gallup poll asked workers to evaluate whose affirmation meant the most to them. In the top three slots were: 1) direct manager, 2) CEO, 3) manager’s manager.
- Top-down recognition strengthens feelings of connection to the company. Recognition from leadership can have a profound impact on an employee. A recent Gallup poll found that affirmation from a supervisor within the past 7 days was connected to 10-20% higher rates of productivity and revenue. Employees are happier, more likely to stay, and more connected when they receive higher levels of consistent, earned praise from supervisors.
- Top-down recognition aligns and inspires teams. Top-down recognition programs encourage leaders to notice what’s happening on the ground. When it’s management’s job to inspire employees, giving recognition sharpens focus on behaviors and patterns that are tied to company objectives and values.
Three downsides of top-down recognition
- Top-down recognition can feel canned. Recognition from leaders who are unfamiliar with your work has the potential to come across as inauthentic. Often those who know our work best are our peers; our supervisors may not entirely understand the nuts and bolts of what we do, why our role is deeply critical, or what true excellence in our particular sphere looks like. That may be why 52% of workers say they aren’t satisfied with the recognition they receive.
- Top-down recognition can feel obligatory. Top-down recognition is less likely to be spontaneous, and more likely to be scheduled. However, praise is most effective when it’s given immediately, specifically, and is tied to impact. Gallup reported that fewer than 1/3 of American employees have received any sort of praise from a supervisor in the past week. And with so many of us receiving constant real-time affirmation from social media, we're conditioned to expect more frequent boosts.
- Top-down recognition misses opportunities to build relationships between peers and teams. When there’s friction in the system between who is expected to offer praise, some team members find themselves feeling stifled, left out, or as though their voice doesn’t matter. But when everyone recognizes each other, teams become more inspired and aligned.
What is peer-to-peer recognition?
Sweet and simple: Peer recognition (also called “social recognition”) is when coworkers and teammates recognize each other. Top-down recognition reinforces a power hierarchy in an organization. By contrast, peer-to-peer recognition is laterally focused. It encourages a workplace culture where everyone in a company recognizes individuals and teams, as well as those in leadership.
According to SHRM, peer recognition instills a sense of team spirit, motivates high performance, and builds trust. And a peer recognition program empowers everyone in an organization to show appreciation to each other. That includes, by the way, employees recognize leaders.
A peer recognition program might take the shape of an internal platform with a social feed of continuous thanks, hi-fives, and kudos. Everyone is able to sign on and share the responsibility of boosting morale, and reach across departments (including remote employees.) to congratulate each other for their hard work. Some organizations even encourage team members to nominate co-workers for rewards.
6 benefits of peer-to-peer recognition
Are we arguing that you should replace top-down recognition with peer-to-peer? Of course not. In fact, employees routinely report that some of the most life-changing recognition comes from managers and leadership.
But when you incorporate peer-to-peer recognition into an already robust program, the game changes. Here are six ways collaborative peer recognition helps maximize the positive impact of your recognition program as a whole.
1. Peer recognition builds camaraderie & connection
One executive explained that peer-to-peer affirmation often means so much to team members because it’s not forced; instead, it comes from the heart. Because peers aren’t under any obligation to offer recognition — as managers typically are — when they choose to, it feels deeply meaningful to the recipient.
2. Peer recognition rises from a deep understanding of work and impact
In one study, a system of frequent peer-issued safety awards led to an 82% reduction in work injuries. That’s because praise that is specific, issued in real-time, and connected to an outcome is usually interpreted as more meaningful by the recipient. And because peers work so closely together on a daily basis, they have ample opportunity to meet those criteria.
3. Peer recognition builds connections across teams, breaking down silos
A recent Harvard Health article demonstrated the benefits of expressing gratitude. The process of receiving (and giving) thanks builds a sense of connection, security, and contentment. When team members are encouraged to express gratitude to their peers and to other teams or leadership for their contributions, it breaks down silos and increases the sense of shared mission and teamwork.
4. Peer recognition reinforces a company culture of recognition
Gratitude has a profound bonding effect. When companies encourage team members to keep their eyes open for amazing contributions, employees quickly begin to realize how interconnected the web of roles really is. Where recognition abounds, people are happier and more productive and end up staying with a company longer.
5. When more people are empowered to recognize each other, recognition happens more frequently
If there are more people chiming in to say, “Wow! You did really great work today on that project!” recognition tends to compound. And that’s good news because research shows that positive feedback given at least every seven days is essential.
6. Bonus: Executives, managers, and other leadership can be recognized, too
For many leaders, the old adage “It’s lonely at the top” rings very true. However, experiencing regular recognition can combat those lonely feelings. Our most deep-seated human needs include appreciation and recognition, and that applies to data processors and high-level executives alike.
Take recognition further with WorkTango
We hope this article helped you better understand the value a peer-to-peer recognition program (as an addition to, but not a replacement for, top-down recognition) brings to your recognition program. And if you'd like to learn more, we should talk.
