Say thank you!

Have regular meetings with individual team members to learn more about them

Ask your team to recognize/thank each other at staff meetings

Greet employees every morning, reinforcing the message “I’m glad you’re here”

Give an extra-long lunch break

Create and post a group celebration calendar – use it to honor specific dates and contributions (including birthdays and anniversaries)

Write three things you appreciate about each member of your team and share it with them

Give high performers more responsibility and autonomy or development opportunities for advancement

Copy or notify senior management on your thank you notes

Recognize employees’ achievements in team or staff meetings, group email, departmental bulletin boards or other public venues

Keep employees informed about what is happening in the organization and acknowledge the work and contributions of individuals and teams

Arrange for a higher manager to attend a meeting with your employees during which you thank individuals and groups for their specific contributions

Pop in at the first meeting of a special project team and express your appreciation for their involvement

Send a letter to all team members at the conclusion of a project, thanking them for their participation

Start a suggestion box and acknowledge all suggestions

Express interest in individual career development

Arrange for an outstanding employee to have lunch with a dean or director

Have a monthly breakfast meeting for the team, share ideas and recognize at least one person

Plan a pizza party

Say thank you with treats

Deliver treats on a certain day each week (e.g., Popcorn Wednesday) and spend time with your team

Give flowers or balloons or candy with a thank you card

Have an ice cream social

Have a pot-luck lunch

Order in lunch/cake  for team member’s birthday and/or anniversary at Penn

Give a book from a favorite author or a book that relates to his/her career

Give a framed poem or card

After a promotion, give a special gift that will help the employee in their new role

Pass-around trophy – Pick an unusual or funny object and place it on the employee’s desk for a week