Recognition is Broken, And We're All Paying the Price
Employee recognition is often praised as a cornerstone of a strong workplace culture. It’s credited with boosting morale, driving engagement, and helping people feel connected to the company’s mission. And many organizations already have programs in place, annual reviews, awards, kudos systems that aim to do just that.
But despite good intentions, recognition doesn’t always have the impact we hope for. Even in companies with structured processes, something often feels off. The results can be uneven: some employees feel deeply appreciated, while others quietly wonder if their efforts are really seen.
The problem isn’t that recognition doesn’t work, it’s that it’s not working as well as it could. Too often, our methods are built around convenience or tradition rather than transparency, fairness, and real understanding of what people contribute. The consequence is subtle but powerful: missed opportunities to inspire, motivate, and help employees grow.