Why We Need to Make Recognition a Habit at Work

Her mission to connect more people with more opportunities is compelling, but that’s not the only thing that sets Dr Meisha-ann Martin apart. In the latest episode of the We Are Human Leaders podcast, Meisha-ann shares her unique expertise and insight on recognition, engagement, and how we can use data to create the change we need to see in the workplace. 

After a series of health setbacks, Meisha-ann realized that through making work a better experience for everyone, she could contribute to broader social change. It’s a powerful mission which WorkHuman recognized in appointing her Senior Director of People Analytics and Research. And she hasn’t looked back.

The data shows: feeling connected helps us feeling more engaged

Meisha-ann shares powerful research to show the positive impact treating people well and facilitating connection has, at all levels: “When you treat people well at work and when you make the effort to make them feel connected, it actually works. They feel more engaged, it changes their lives and – guess what – your business does better.”

This means that using work as a conduit to reduce loneliness, through increasing people’s sense of connectedness and recognition, has an impact for individuals, business and beyond. 

As Meisha-ann explains, “In a survey we did about two years ago, about one third of our population reported that they felt lonely. We could use work to appropriately address some of those things. Not only does the individual's life improve, but you've got a positive retention, too. So the person benefits and the business benefits.”

The 5 aspects of ensuring recognition has impact

Meisha-ann sets out the 5 aspects of ensuring maximum impact in recognizing your colleagues:

> be authentic

> make it fulfilling

> give it equitably

> embed it in culture

> make it personal

The impact of recognition for DEI 

Meisha-ann underscores the impact of recognition for all of us, and particularly for people who are marginalized or have experienced feeling invisible in the workplace. “Our research with Gallup finds that people who are recognized well at work, and have a great experience at work, are more likely to be thriving in the rest of their lives. And this relationship is particularly strong for people of color.”

Make sure you listen to the end for…

… the 2 key steps Meisha-ann outlines for making recognition a habit in your team (and your life).