Why Employees Need Both Recognition and Appreciation to Thrive
Published: July 8th, 2024
Updated: December 2025
Quick Summary: Recognition and appreciation are related but different ways of making employees feel valued. Recognition celebrates achievements and contributions tied to goals, while appreciation focuses on valuing people for who they are and how they show up. Using both together builds a stronger culture, boosts morale, and helps reduce turnover, with organizations that use recognition programs seeing up to 31 % lower voluntary turnover.
Recognition and appreciation might sound similar, but they serve two distinct purposes — and both are essential. One celebrates what people do. The other celebrates who they are. If you want a culture that keeps teams engaged, loyal, and genuinely excited to show up, you can’t rely on just one. You need both.
At Culturello, we believe people should feel seen for both their contributions and their character. That’s why our platform helps make recognition and appreciation part of the everyday rhythm — not just a once-in-a-while feel-good moment.
What Is Recognition and Why Does It Matter?
Recognition is about celebrating specific accomplishments that support your goals. It shows employees that their efforts are noticed and valued in a concrete way. For example, recognition can take the form of public shout‑outs, awards, reward points, or performance bonuses. Reinforcing positive actions this way motivates employees to repeat them and aligns work with the team’s greater goals.
Examples of Recognition in Action
- “You received a great review from a client. Thank you for going above and beyond!”
- “Congratulations on completing your first quarter goals! Your leadership helped the whole team succeed!”
What Is Appreciation and Why Does It Matter?
Appreciation is about valuing the individual and their inherent contributions, not just what they accomplish. Simple gestures like heartfelt thank‑you notes, genuine compliments, or checking in on someone’s well‑being let employees know they matter as people, not just performers. When appreciation feels personal and sincere, it strengthens trust, loyalty, and emotional connection within your team.
Examples of Appreciation
- “Your kindness and teamwork make this a better place for everyone.”
- “Thank you for always bringing your best energy, it makes a real difference.”
Why You Need Both in Your Culture
While the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they serve different emotional and organizational roles. Recognition is typically tied to performance and milestones, while appreciation is about the value of the person, regardless of results. Recognition might be public and tied to specific achievements, and appreciation can be more informal and spontaneous. Understanding this difference helps leaders use both in ways that feel meaningful and genuine.
Using only one approach leaves a gap. Recognition alone can make people feel valued for what they do but not who they are. Appreciation alone may make people feel personally valued but can miss reinforcing the behaviors that drive success. When you combine both:
- Employees feel seen for their results and their identity
- Engagement increases because people feel both capable and cared for
Turnover goes down because people feel a deeper connection to their workplace and team
Organizations with recognition programs report up to 31 % lower voluntary turnover, showing the strategic value of these practices.
The Culturello Solution to Recognition and Appreciation
Culturello takes the guesswork out of when, how, and who to recognize. With built-in tools like automated shoutouts, milestone reminders, and peer-to-peer praise, we help organizations create a consistent rhythm of recognition and appreciation. You can tie recognition directly to rewards points, making every “thank you” not just meaningful, but motivating. Whether it’s celebrating a big win or someone’s everyday positivity, Culturello gives you the process, prompts, and platform to make appreciation and recognition part of your everyday culture.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between recognition and appreciation? Recognition celebrates specific achievements and performance that support organizational goals, while appreciation values a person’s inherent worth, effort, and everyday contributions.
Why does recognition matter for performance? Recognition reinforces desired behaviors and encourages employees to repeat and build on their successes.
Why is appreciation important for team morale? Appreciation strengthens emotional connection, shows employees they are valued as individuals, and increases loyalty and trust.
Can recognition and appreciation be combined? Yes. Combining them creates a more balanced and effective culture where employees feel valued for both what they do and who they are.
