Helpful Ideas

  • Say “thank you” or offer a handwritten note or thank you
  • Create a wall or bulletin board that recognizes team members for a job well done (include pictures, notes, paper for people to add notes that “brag” on their team, etc.)
  • If possible, consider offering a mentoring or job shadowing opportunity that could be valuable to the team member
  • Be mindful of introducing new team members, and collect a Team Member Preferences Form
  • Offer a “pass” for something that would be meaningful to a team member to use as appropriate (ex. casual dress)
  • Use completed Team Member Preferences Form to provide personalized recognition (ex. favorite candy, small gift card, etc.)
  • Share any positive feedback you receive about your team or a coworkers efforts to make sure they hear the compliment as well
  • Make time to recognize and compliment a team member’s strengths
  • Host a fun contest (ex. best baked good, pumpkin decorating, door decorating, etc.) and find a creative way to celebrate the winner
  • Allow team member to work in an alternate work location for a day
  • Consider gifting an item from the MO Appreciation shop
  • Reach out to your communications team to see if there are opportunities available to highlight a team member’s great work on your department’s social media platforms
  • Consider submitting a blurb about a team member’s accomplishment in your department, division, or program newsletter
  • Offer opportunities for peer-to-peer recognition (ex. a bulletin board, newsletter, a kudos page on the intranet, etc.)
  • Create a recognition sign to hang on a team members cubicle or office
  • Make it a point to recognize team members during meetings, when appropriate (anniversaries, completing a major task, going above and beyond, etc.)
  • Invite a team member to a meeting that may be relevant to their work and allow them to provide feedback or input
  • If possible, designate a special parking space that a team member can use for a period of time
  • Host a group lunch, coffee break, or snack day in honor of a team member or an accomplishment
  • Initiate a fun game or activity with your team to help alleviate stress & improve mood. Ideas could include, but are not limited to:
  • Scavenger hunt
  • Clothes pin game
  • Penny wars
  • Friendly contests (ex. ugliest tie, socks, etc.)
  • Themed dress day
  • “No negativity allowed” day
  • Yearbook, pet, or baby photo contest
  • Health & wellness activities, like a group walk or break
  • Consider setting up a fun exchange between team members, like a book exchange or coupon exchange
  • Develop a department, division, or program cook book, filled with favorite recipes to share
  • For teams who work remotely, consider activities you can do through email or WebEx like:
  • Mad libs
  • Bingo
  • Scrabble
  • Trivia
  • Word scramble
  • Celebrate a national recognition holiday:
  • National Employee Appreciation Day (first Friday in March)
  • State Team Member Appreciation Month (June)
  • Administrative Professionals Day (Observed on the Wednesday of the last full week in April)
  • Bosses Day (October 16)
  • Host a friendly contest or activity related to a holiday:
  • Egg hunt
  • Costume contest or ugly holiday sweater contest
  • Holiday cookie exchange
  • Decorating contest
  • Host a holiday-themed food day:
  • Hot dog days of summer
  • Green food day (St. Patrick’s Day)
  • Taco Tuesday
  • Thanksgiving or holiday potluck
  • Create a general “award” to honor team members
  • Creative award ideas could include items like:
  • Service Quality Award
  • Streamline Award
  • Administrative Support Award
  • Mentor of the Year
  • Leadership Award
  • Morale Booster Award
  • Most Organized Award
  • Thumbs-Up Award