Employees want to feel appreciated and valued by their leaders and organizations. Consider this -- when an employee's boss "brags" to his or her boss about something the employee has done to contribute to the success of the organization, it makes the employee feel fabulous. If the compliment is put in writing to upper management, then the employee's feeling of being appreciated is even stronger.

Feeling appreciated for one's hard work and talents is a significant motivator. That terrific feeling results in more confidence, resulting in more self-empowerment, resulting in more creativity and independent problem-solving. What leader wouldn't want all that from his or her employees?

And... this good feeling can have a ripple effect. Not only does the employee feel great about the recognition, but you feel good about complimenting the employee, your boss feels good about the employee's contribution and the excellent leadership being demonstrated by you!

While expressing appreciation to an employee face-to-face is very important, perhaps paramount, this idea of "bragging to upper management" can still contribute significantly to boosting employee spirit and productivity.

To begin with, let's explore a simple way to accomplish the "bragging" mentioned above. When an employee sends you a memo or email that includes an update on something he or she has done a great job with, respond to that memo or email and thank the employee for his or her efforts. Don't forget to be specific about how the employee's work contributes to the success of the team and/or organization. Copy your boss on this communication and consider a P.S. notation to the boss emphasizing the employee's accomplishment.

In addition, don't forget the following tried and true ideas for showing appreciation and recognizing the value of an employee:

• Invite the employee for coffee or lunch and give him or her an opportunity to share ideas, concerns and observations.
• For an extra strong effort, like an employee who has worked a lot of overtime to complete a project, send a gift basket to the employee's home. Address the card to the entire family with a note thanking the employee for his or her work and the family for their sacrifice of being without the employee (Mom, Dad and/or significant other).
• Send a note, card or e-card to acknowledge a job well done.

Click this link to send FREE recognition and reinforcement e-cards. This resource includes many flash cards that are creative, inspirational, and fun. There is even an opportunity for you to copy your boss as you recognize deserving employees!