Recognizing your employees for their achievements is an essential component of making them happy. When you recognize a job well done, employees are much happier to work with you. These tips will allow you to better recognize employees who are performing to the best of their abilities.

1. Be sincere in acknowledging all accomplishments.

This should occur even when you are not showing people that you are happy with their work. For instance, call employees by name and greet them with enthusiasm when you see them around. Conversation is a fantastic relationship-builder. This will also ensure that members of your staff feel recognized for their daily work.

2. Find more opportunities for employees to contribute in recognizable ways.

This does not necessarily mean assigning more work. It means promoting employees in ways that they can cross-train or earn new skills. It means allowing them to work in spaces where their skills and expertise will be noticed. Greenlight more ideas as well.

3. Provide recognition verbally and written as well.

It is easy to forget spoken words, which makes it all the more important to focus on providing your employee with a letter accompanying it. Don't merely state what the employee did that was good. Speak to larger consequences of the action. How is this going to benefit the company as a whole?

4. Establish fair criteria for recognition.

Criteria that is inclusive of all employees is absolutely necessary. Additionally, your criteria should be specific and ensure that everybody who is eligible receives the reward listed in the criteria. 

5. Be specific when you provide praise.

Praise should not be generic. It should be based on a specific set of circumstances that encourages employees to continue doing a fantastic job.

6. Allow employees to provide recognition.

Allowing employees to recognize each other creates a more positive workplace in which people are much more eager to come to work and perform at their best.

7. Understand what value means to the employee.

Remember that just because something is valuable to you as the employer or manager does not mean it is valuable to the employee. Understand what employees want by talking to them one-on-one.

Finally, remember that your employees are an essential part of the goings-on in the workplace. You would not be able to do all that you do without them. Recognition of employee achievements is not only a good idea, it is absolutely necessary.