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Recognition of Achievement Reminds Them They're not Just a Face in the Crowd
My grandfather worked for the same company for over 40 years and he was proud of that. It wasn’t a glamorous job by any means, working in an oil refinery, but he did it and raised a family with those hard earned wages. He lived a long life and passed away at age 91. A man of modest means, he didn’t leave much behind, but what struck me was discovering he’d kept his company diamond pin all those years, along with a few other small keepsakes.
Did my grandfather work 40-some years simply to ensure he received a diamond lapel pin? Of course not. But it meant something to him. It symbolized an achievement, one he wouldn’t forget. It symbolized years of his life; coworkers and friends, a second “family”.
Recognition of achievement is vital to keeping employees motivated and happy. It gives them a sense of community and loyalty, and reminds them they’re a part of something bigger, and that others are glad they’re there. Would my grandfather have kept at the same job all those decades without being recognized for his achievements? I think so. He was just that sort of man. But I doubt very much that company would have remained an active part of his identity, even 35 years after his retirement. Recognition is so much more than a passing thank you; it’s a milestone that stays with someone for life.
