Is recognition an Asian problem?

Recognition scores are consistently high in Western countries than Asian countries, as per W.E.-Matter research.

We thoroughly analyzed these results of Asian companies in the Indian context and realized that the issue is in culture of the community. When Gen X and Millennials came home after the examination results, it was always about the 5 marks that they lost in Mathematics, rather than 95 marks that they secured. The culture of Chinese, Singaporean, and Japanese communities is quite similar. This culture drove perfection and helped companies grow and contribute to GDP of Asian countries significantly in the past two and half decades.

What got us here, won’t get us there.

Though it seems rhetorical, it applies to everything. Gen Z was brought up with plenty of recognition for what they did well and maybe for what they did not do well. This is because Gen X, the parents of Gen Z, were over-cautious. Gen Z is the future, and they expect recognition.

As we globalized workplace culture aligned more with the USA than with Asian giants. There was a clear benefit. Workplaces with more and regular recognition became positive, and consequently more productive. We needed a special initiative to drive hashtag#recognition and gradually ingrain it in the organizational culture. Culture is about repeated behaviors and not occasional events.

The importance of recognition is proven in management studies and medical science. Researchers have found that when we feel appreciated, our brains release neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, which can improve our mood and cognitive function. This consequently has a favorable impact on both the experience and the work.

Implementing Effective Recognition Strategies

𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐞𝐬.
No matter how big or small the achievement, it is important to appreciate her effort and results accomplished. This boosts employee morale and motivates others to do their best.

𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬
People differ in the ways they would like to be appreciated. It is important to understand the expectations and individualize the recognition.

𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐭.
Recognition and appreciation are not once in a blue moon event. To improve the workplace culture, employees must be recognized as soon as they do some good work.

𝐃𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬.
Sincerity should be the foundation of recognition; otherwise, it is worthless. Setting a standard for recognition is essential, as opposed to praising every action an employee takes or does not take.

In the workplace, recognition can boost employee retention, productivity, engagement, and create a positive work environment where employees feel valued and motivated by putting in place a thoughtful and individualized recognition program.