Rewarding Your Employees
- Chad Lingafelt
- May 22
- 2 min read
In today's competitive landscape, retaining and motivating employees goes far beyond offering a good salary. A recent episode of the "Unlocked" podcast, featuring hosts Tony, Chad, and Lars, delved into the critical topic of rewarding employees and fostering a positive company culture. They shared practical insights and personal experiences on how to create an environment where employees feel valued and genuinely enjoy their work.
The Importance of Acknowledging Wins A recurring theme was the necessity of celebrating successes. Entrepreneurs, by nature, are often focused on continuous improvement and the "what's next" mentality. While this drive is essential for growth, it can lead to overlooking current achievements. The hosts emphasized that failing to acknowledge good work can turn the daily grind into a "Groundhog Day" scenario, leading to burnout and a lack of appreciation. By actively seeking out and celebrating wins, even small ones, you reset the focus and remind everyone of the positive progress being made. This positive reinforcement can significantly boost morale and encourage a more optimistic outlook across the team.
Building Culture Through Personal Relationships A strong company culture is not an accident; it's intentionally built, often on the foundation of personal relationships. The hosts advocated for fostering camaraderie among team members, highlighting that recognition from peers ("comrades in arms") can be particularly impactful. Consistently reinforcing core values and positive behaviors over time transforms them into the company's ethos. This commitment, though it may initially be met with skepticism, eventually leads to a collective sense of pride and shared purpose.
The "Luckys" Award Show: A Case Study Lars shared a detailed example of their company's annual "Luckys" award show, a creative alternative to traditional Christmas parties. Instead of just a dinner, they rent a community hall, provide prizes (purchased cheaply on Amazon Prime Day ), and host an Oscar-style awards ceremony. Awards, like "MVP" or "top performing department," are peer-voted, making the recognition more meaningful. This black-tie event allows employees and their families to socialize in a personal environment, fostering camaraderie and strengthening company culture. While not "free" or "easy," the long-term positive impact on teamwork and morale is significant.
Budget-Friendly and Fun Recognition Ideas The podcast also offered a range of practical, often inexpensive, ideas for employee rewards:
All-you-can-eat wing nights or hot wing eating contests: A hit with field technicians, especially when custom shirts are involved.
Trivia nights: An engaging way to gather the team for some competitive fun.
Intimate home gatherings: Hosting small groups (5-6 people and their spouses) for a home-cooked meal offers a more personal connection.
Company paintballing: A surprising success for fostering teamwork and building memorable experiences across different age groups.
Tokenizing achievements: Providing physical tokens like trophies, custom shirts, or framed photos creates lasting reminders of achievements that go beyond fleeting digital memories.
Ultimately, rewarding employees isn't just about handing out bonuses. It's about creating a culture of appreciation, building strong relationships, and celebrating milestones to foster a truly engaged and motivated workforce.
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