“You made my day.”

That is the email message I recently received for providing a newly selected Finance Director with positive feedback on his First 100 Day Plan.

His simple note made me feel great and motivated me for at least a week. I’m just kidding, as it has been two months and I still feel good and am telling you about it.

No matter whom we are, what we do, or how long we’ve been doing it, we all need and respond to displays of appreciation. Showing meaningful appreciation and recognition to others in the workplace is a simple way to build strong relationships, keep lines of communication open and maximize the production of each employee.

Here are ten key ways to show meaningful appreciation.

1. Say “Please” when assigning work or asking for help.

People like to be asked, not told. Asking shows respect and caring that is appreciated, ordering someone to do something is a display of power. Also, asking is a sign of a polite and thoughtful person.

2. Praise at every opportunity.

Look for significant events or consistently high performance to praise. Use one on one verbal praising, praising in front of peers, written “thank you” notes, an email of praise to the individual and their supervisor, praise to the whole group during a Zoom meeting, or even a written note sent to their home. Remember to make it personal, specific, and accurate while detailing the positive impact their accomplishments had on the team and organization.

3. Ask “What do you think?” often and actively listen to the responses.

This may be the single most important question anyone can ask in the workplace. It shows you value inclusion and builds ownership and empowerment in those asked. Employees appreciate being asked for their thoughts, which are a combination of their experiences, creative ideas, and judgments.

4. Recognize Birthdays.

Most employees celebrate their birthdays – at least until age 39. A card, a cake, breakfast or lunch, an office potluck all work. When I suggested this to a Finance Director he told me he couldn’t do it. He explained, “I can’t let people know how old their co-workers are.” Yes, he used to be a Finance Director.

5. Offer training and development and lunch and learns.

More knowledge makes everyone more valuable to themselves and the team. Making training available sends the message we appreciate the work you are doing and offers the promise of expanded future career possibilities. When the CBS newsman Mike Wallace was asked why he was still working at age 90, his response was “I believe you learn and grow until you go.”

6. Have team celebrations, lunches and potlucks in a redesigned break room.

A Finance Department focusing on employee appreciation has Taco Tuesdays, Thirsty Thursdays (non-alcoholic, of course) and Fried Fridays – each one day per month. They have redesigned their break/lunch room with bright colors, music, motivational sayings along with pictures of employees and a brief description of their significant accomplishments. One employee described the room as a “happy place” and said the events were uplifting, motivating and showed the department cared. Why shouldn’t break/lunchrooms look different than workspaces? These events are also possible virtually and they add a new spin to the work week.

7. Encourage peer to peer appreciation.

Co-workers are well aware of how employees are performing. Hold a brainstorming session with the team where they can develop ways to best recognize one another. Avoid contests like employee of the month, while encouraging creativity and originality and make it fun. Shout out those words of appreciation and keep the morale high.

8. Provide treats, food and small gifts of appreciation.

You can provide muffins, pizza, bagels, candies or any food and leave them in the break room, just because you appreciate the team – you don’t need a special occasion.

I once got a Lakers Championship tee shirt from my supervisor and I still have it 30 years later. Little things can mean a lot.

9. Ask your team members how they would like to be appreciated.

This sounds revolutionary, but you may find it illuminating. In my first year as a new, inexperienced and naïve supervisor, I did this with my team of trainers. They told me. “Simple, be genuine, authentic and always be honest with us.” This was a tough standard to live up to as I thought they were going to say I should keep the M & M’s jar full and we should go miniature golfing periodically. Listen, watch and get to know people, and they will tell you how they like to be appreciated.

10. Say “Thank You” Often.

This is the simplest way to show appreciation. Many people need to hear this often to feel appreciated and be motivated in the world we are living and working in today. Hearing someone say “Thank You” and acknowledging they know we are working hard may be all the appreciation we need to keep giving our best effort.

By showing appreciation and gratitude every day, you will be a difference maker for others.

Go ahead, make their day.