Recognition: Saying thanks for a job well done, staying late to meet a deadline or helping a colleague with a difficult project will have a long lasting impact on their productivity.

Sense of commitment: Saying thanks to an employee for their hard work undoubtedly increases their level of commitment to not only you as their manager, but also to the company.

Improving morale: Recognising an employee’s hard work also creates an atmosphere of trust and helps team members to bond with each other.

Say “Thank You” often. Get accustomed to saying “thank you” for dedication and commitment. Do it whenever it’s deserved and do it a lot more often.

Write a personal note or “Thank You” card. This is one of the best ways to give an employee a “pat on the back”. It shows you honestly appreciate them because you took the time to do this. My manager/director did this recently to all of our team and it really did mean a lot;- I still have mine at home.

Personal e-mail. This is another great way to show your appreciation. You can thank them for their invaluable contribution to you and the company.

Let them leave early. If their workload allows, give them an afternoon off. It’s a great way to say thank you and show them that you also value their personal time.

Family gifts. If your employee is working long hours or taking work home, what better way to thank them than to thank their family too? They say actions speak louder than words, so another nice idea is to treat them to cinema tickets or a pass to an amusement park.

Say “Thank you” in front of an audience. This can happen during a team or company meeting, or at any time that praise is deserved. Saying thank you in front of others will not only have a positive impact on that person’s self esteem, but it will also motivate the rest of the team to follow this good example.