How To Learn What Makes You Feel Valued At Work
In today’s competitive and fast-paced work environment, feeling valued is an essential aspect of an employee’s overall job satisfaction. When employees feel appreciated and recognized for their efforts, they tend to be more engaged, motivated, and committed to their work. This post aims to explore various strategies and methods to help individuals learn what makes them feel valued at work and how employers can foster a culture of appreciation and recognition. Sandra Hughes Coaching has expertise in helping employees identify their values and goals and helping employers work on leadership strategies that help make their employees feel valued.
The Importance of Feeling Valued at Work
Feeling valued goes beyond mere acknowledgment; it touches the core of an individual’s emotional well-being. Employees who feel valued are more likely to be productive and loyal to their organization. Moreover, a sense of value fosters a positive work environment where creativity and innovation thrive. Since every employee is a human being, they should be treated as such and be continually valued for the work they have joined your team to complete.
Learning What Makes You Feel Valued at Work
Understanding Your Core Values and How They Align With Your Workplace’s Values
Identifying your core values is the first step in recognizing what makes you feel valued at work. Take some time to reflect on your core values, beliefs, goals, and priorities. Understanding what truly matters to you will help you recognize the specific actions and behaviors that make you feel appreciated. The Laser Coaching program offered by Sandra Hughes Coaching would be a great place to start if you are struggling to identify your core values and the other facets that make you uniquely you. Among other breakthroughs that will occur, this program helps individuals identify their challenges and then dive deep to acknowledge their core values to establish an empowered way of being that then guides all that they do in and out of work.
What is equally important at this point is checking in to remind yourself of your company’s values and mission statement. Are you still aligned with that? If there is still acceptance of the company’s core values, but there is a feeling of misalignment somewhere else, then chances are it is with your manager and how you and your team are being managed, and there are strategies that can be put in place to address that.
Identifying Recognition and Appreciation
Recognition comes in various forms, such as verbal praise, awards, or public acknowledgment. Appreciation can also be shown through small gestures like a simple “thank you” note. Identify the type of recognition and appreciation that resonates most with you to feel valued. Also note that similarly to love languages, each person has a preference in how they show recognition and appreciation, just as each person has a preference in how they would like to receive recognition and appreciation. That is important to keep in mind when you’re not feeling valued at work that a colleague or boss may be showing appreciation for your work and recognizing your accomplishments in a different way than you’d prefer, but it does not mean they are not trying to show you. If you’re not sure how to gauge signs that you’re not valued at work, you can read our blog post for examples of signs that you are not valued at work and what to do.
Open Communication and Feedback
Regular communication and constructive feedback are vital for feeling valued at work. Employers should foster an environment where employees can openly share their thoughts, concerns, and ideas. This two-way communication helps in creating a sense of trust and mutual respect. While this feels like a very simple workplace norm, in some cases, the communication and feedback process can get interrupted due to various factors. If open communication and feedback feel as if they have decreased in your workplace, it could benefit you to bring up that change and discuss how it has impacted you and your colleagues.
Opportunities for Growth and Development
When employers invest in their employees’ growth and development, it communicates a strong message of value. Offering training, workshops, and career advancement opportunities show that the organization is committed to helping employees reach their full potential.
A Supportive Work Environment
A supportive work environment is crucial for employees to feel valued. This includes having colleagues and supervisors who are understanding, empathetic, and cooperative and reflect the company’s core values and mission. When employees feel supported, they are more likely to feel valued and appreciated. Sandra Hughes Coaching offers a coaching program for managers and teams called “Build Your Team – Start With Strengths” that would be a good place to start assisting your whole team in identifying their strengths so that you can work together to set realistic workplace goals and ensure employees’ tasks are on par with their skills. Most importantly, the team will understand one another’s strengths and how best to work together to optimize them.
Work-Life Balance
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is essential for overall well-being. Employers who promote work-life balance demonstrate care for their employees’ personal lives, contributing to a sense of value and respect.
The Impact of Feeling Valued on Job Satisfaction
Feeling valued directly impacts job satisfaction. Employees who feel appreciated are more likely to be motivated, loyal, and committed to their roles, leading to increased productivity and overall happiness.
Strategies to Improve Recognition at Work
To enhance recognition at work, organizations can implement employee recognition programs, performance-based incentives, and public appreciation events. These initiatives boost employee morale and create a culture of appreciation. Recognition can also be enhanced in more small and simple ways, such as weekly employee shout outs or including employee highlights in internal or external newsletters.
Handling Unvalued Feelings
At times, employees may experience moments of feeling unvalued. In such situations, it is essential to address these feelings constructively. Communicating with supervisors and seeking feedback can help resolve any misunderstandings. To learn more about what to do when you’re not feeling valued at work, read our blog post.
Work with Sandra Hughes Coaching to Learn What Makes You Feel Valued at Work
Feeling valued at work is a fundamental human need that significantly influences an individual’s job satisfaction and overall well-being. By understanding one’s personal values and how they align with the company’s, and what various forms of appreciation would be in alignment with one’s expectations, employees can actively contribute to a positive work environment. Employers, too, play a vital role in creating a culture of recognition where employees feel appreciated for their efforts and contributions. If you need help identifying your personal values and what forms of appreciation you best receive, and how to communicate that to others, you could benefit from working with Sandra Hughes Coaching. Schedule an introduction to get started in learning what makes you feel valued at work.
