As the year draws to a close, I’d like to take a moment to reflect and express gratitude for all the wonderful people in my life. Since founding Urban Legal Recruitment in 2005, I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have crossed paths with so many amazing and talented people. I feel a deep appreciation for the clients and candidates I have worked with throughout the years, who have placed great trust and confidence in our services as they continue to turn to us for expertise and support. In the spirit of appreciation, I’d like to shed light on the importance of gratitude and the ways we can demonstrate our appreciation to those we interact with every day.
When it comes to gratitude and appreciation, these terms are often used interchangeably, but there is a difference between the two. Gratitude is an inward feeling of being thankful for the good things we have in our lives; it's a sense of contentment that we feel within ourselves and is often the result of a person, thing, or situation. Appreciation, on the other hand, is an outward expression of contentment that is shown to another person. Appreciation involves recognizing this person for the positive benefits that have come out of a situation.
By feeling gratitude and showing appreciation, you can positively influence your workplace culture. When you show appreciation towards your employees, you can boost employee morale and enhance productivity. Employee appreciation goes a long way to creating a happier work environment, so take the time to recognize your team's positive attributes and take action to show your appreciation for a job well done.
Sometimes, appreciation is as simple as saying thank you and offering a few words of encouragement.
Build appreciation and thanks in your team meetings and recognize employees for their efforts. Acknowledge team members for the completion of specific projects, events, or promotions and celebrate positive feedback from clients to show appreciation to your team.
Although email is a convenient way to communicate in a business setting, it's important to convey your gratitude to your team in a more personal way. You can do this by either visiting a team member at their desk to express your thanks or sending a personalized handwritten note. Handwritten notes take time and effort and are a more personal way to show your appreciation and demonstrate that you care.
After completing a long project or achieving an important milestone, it's crucial to allow time for recovery. Show appreciation for your team's hard work by encouraging them to take some downtime.
Consider offering health benefits to support your team's physical and mental wellness. This can include providing access to therapy, such as counselling, massage, and physiotherapy, as well as offering gym memberships to promote physical health.
Looking for other “out-of-the-box” ideas to express appreciation? You can host company events that your employees will enjoy. Or consider providing on-site daycare to support team members with children. Additionally, work-from-home days can promote a better work-life balance. These initiatives demonstrate your appreciation and support for your employees' personal as well as professional lives.
When you identify specific talents in your team members, show your appreciation by supporting their advancement. Encourage your employees to pursue bigger goals by providing options to further their careers. Employees appreciate the opportunity to take on more responsibility and earn increasing financial rewards, so provide education to support their efforts.
Whether it’s the barista at your favourite coffee shop or a parent who babysits your kids, it's essential that we take the time to express our appreciation to those around us. When you feel gratitude and express your appreciation, it creates a sense of mutual appreciation and well-being for everyone.
At Urban Legal Recruitment, it’s our goal to match legal candidates with great opportunities that meet both their professional and personal needs. We collaborate with law firms across Canada and offer advice and support to help them secure talented legal professionals to join their team. If you’d like to connect to discuss your hiring needs, let’s set up a time to chat.
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