Celebrating Success: How to Give Your Team Praise for Excellent Work
Ever noticed how a little praise can brighten someone’s day? In a team, it does even more—it builds trust, boosts confidence, and makes people feel valued. Giving praise isn’t just a nice thing to do; it’s a powerful way to keep your team motivated and happy.
When people feel appreciated, they’re more likely to do their best work and stick around. Whether it’s a big win or a small effort, recognising it matters.
So, join us at Thankbox as we explore why praise is so important and how you can do it well.
Why giving praise is important
Expressing appreciation isn't merely a courteous gesture; it's a powerful tool that can transform your workplace. Gratitude triggers a rush of feel-good endorphins for both the giver and the receiver, creating a win-win situation. In fact, various research suggests employees would rather receive praise over a gift or cash, highlighting the profound impact of recognition on employee satisfaction.
Enhanced engagement: Over 80% of employees feel that recognition improves their engagement at work.
Increased motivation: More than 70% of workers desire more motivation from their employers, with recognition playing a key role.
Improved retention: Nearly 60% of employees would prefer regular praise and thanks over a 10% pay increase with no recognition.
Boosted productivity: Happy workers are 13% more productive than their unhappy counterparts, and recognition contributes significantly to employee happiness.
When is the best time to give praise?
Timing is everything when it comes to praise. Done right, it can make a real impact. Praise works best when it’s meaningful, timely, and focused on specific actions or achievements. Highlight what’s going well, and watch it inspire even more success.
Here are some key moments when you should consider giving praise:
For achievements
Celebrating success is a powerful way to inspire and motivate. It could be completing a project ahead of schedule, smashing performance targets, or exceeding sales goals, recognising these achievements fuels even greater accomplishments. Acknowledging hard work and the impact it makes shows people they’re valued, keeping them energised and ready to keep going.
For consistent effort
Praise doesn’t always have to be tied to big accomplishments. Endorsing consistent effort is just as important. Whether someone has maintained a high level of performance over time or demonstrated persistence through challenging tasks, acknowledging this steady commitment is key to keeping staff morale high. It shows that their ongoing efforts are valued, even if they’re not always in the spotlight.
Give Memorable Praise with Thankbox!
Ready to boost your team's morale with meaningful praise? Start recognising their efforts today by creating a Thankbox as a team. It’s a heartfelt way to express gratitude for everyone’s contributions.
When they go above and beyond
Recognising someone for going above and beyond can make all the difference. This could be stepping in to help a colleague, taking on extra work without being asked, or coming up with a creative solution to a tough challenge. These are moments that deserve to be celebrated. Praising such efforts shows appreciation and inspires others to rise to the occasion and do the same.
For team collaboration
In a team, great things happen when people collaborate seamlessly. When your team comes together to crush goals or support each other through a project, don’t miss the chance to celebrate it. Praising teamwork not only strengthens the bond but also motivates everyone to keep working together. It’s a great way to spark unity, boost morale, and remind everyone that they’re a vital part of the team’s success.
For personal growth and development
Celebrating growth is key. When a colleague levels up—whether by mastering new skills, tackling bigger responsibilities, or overcoming challenges—it’s worth recognising. Highlighting their progress not only makes them feel valued but also inspires others to keep learning and pushing their personal boundaries.
For acts of kindness
Sometimes, praise can also be given for small acts of kindness that brighten someone's day. Simple gestures, like lending a hand to a coworker or staying upbeat during a tough moment, deserve honour. These gestures don’t just turn around someone’s day—they also help build a positive company culture where everyone feels supported. A little recognition for these moments can go a long way in creating a team built on care, respect, and positivity.
How to give praise to your team
It’s essential to give praise in a way that is meaningful, timely, and specific. Here’s how you can give praise effectively:
1. Be specific
Generic praise like “Good job” just doesn’t hit the mark. To make recognition meaningful, be specific about what the person or team did well. Instead of a quick “Great work on the project,” try something like, “You did an amazing job leading the project and keeping everything on track. Your attention to detail and proactive communication made all the difference in the team’s success.”
See the difference? Specific feedback not only shows you’re paying attention but also reinforces those standout behaviors—so don’t hold back!
2. Be timely
Praise works best when it’s given right away. Don’t wait—validate someone’s efforts as soon as possible! The faster you acknowledge their achievement, the more powerful your words will be. Immediate praise not only boosts morale but also reinforces positive behavior in real-time, showing them that their hard work truly matters.
3. Be sincere
Make sure your praise is sincere. Over-the-top or fake compliments can come off as forced and lose their impact. People know when recognition is genuine, so keep it real. Whether you’re celebrating a small act of kindness or a big win, let your words show true gratitude. Be heartfelt, be specific, and let your team know you genuinely appreciate their efforts—it makes all the difference.
For example:
Instead of saying: “You’re amazing!” Try saying: “The way you handled that client’s concerns yesterday showed real empathy and professionalism. It made a big difference to the outcome.”
Instead of saying: “Thanks for helping out!” Try saying: “I really appreciate how you stepped in to support Sarah with that project. Your teamwork and willingness to help didn’t go unnoticed.”
These specific examples show that you’ve paid attention to what someone has done and why it matters, which makes your praise feel authentic and meaningful.
4. Praise in public, but also privately
Public praise is great for celebrating team wins, but private praise can be just as powerful. Not everyone loves the spotlight, and a quiet acknowledgment can sometimes mean even more. Pull a colleague aside or send them a thoughtful message to let them know you appreciate their efforts. It’s a simple way to show you value their work while respecting their comfort. Recognition doesn’t have to be loud to make an impact.
Fortunately, Thankbox offers the perfect solution to help you do this. With Thankbox, you can give heartfelt, private praise while still involving the whole team. It’s easy to create a personalised e-card filled with thoughtful messages, images, and even videos from everyone.
Want to go the extra mile? Thankbox lets you add a digital gift card (chosen from a selection of over 1,000 global retailers) or even arrange a wine and flower delivery, making your recognition even more special.
Your colleague gets a meaningful surprise, without the spotlight, and your team gets the chance to contribute their own words of appreciation. It’s a simple, powerful way to show someone they’re valued and celebrated—on their terms.
5. Balance praise with constructive feedback
Praise on its own is powerful, but pairing it with constructive feedback is where real growth happens. Highlighting strengths motivates employees, and pointing out areas to improve helps them thrive.
For instance, you could say, "Your report was thorough and well-structured—great job! Next time, let’s focus on hitting all deadlines as early as possible. You’re doing awesome overall, and I’m confident you’ll keep leveling up!"
This balanced approach encourages recognition while driving progress.
6. Be consistent
Praise should be woven into the fabric of your team's culture. Don’t just save it for the big wins—celebrate the everyday efforts and contributions that keep things moving forward. When you recognise your team regularly and consistently, you make them feel valued and appreciated for the work they do every day. Plus, it builds a positive, supportive culture where people love to show up and do their best.
7. Consider what motivates them
Not everyone likes to be praised the same way. Some thrive on public recognition, while others value a more personal touch. Pay attention to how your teammates prefer to be acknowledged and adapt accordingly. Maybe it’s a heartfelt personal email or a thoughtful Thankbox group card. Or perhaps they’d love a public shoutout in the next team meeting.
By customising your praise to fit the person, you’re not just giving recognition—you’re making them feel truly valued. A little effort can make a big impact.
8. Start a peer-to-peer nomination program
An "Employee of the Month" program isn’t groundbreaking, but when recognition comes from peers, it can be much more meaningful. Encourage your team to look out for standout colleagues and submit their nominations at the end of each month.
Not only does this spark connection and collaboration among employees, but it also helps build a positive, supportive company culture—something every workplace can benefit from.
Examples of praise to give your team
For a successful project
"Excellent work on completing the project ahead of schedule! Your hard work, dedication, and attention to detail were key to this success. I’m really proud of the team’s effort, and it’s clear that everyone gave their best."
For team collaboration
"I am so impressed with how the team came together on this last project. The way everyone supported each other and worked collaboratively is a perfect example of great teamwork. Well done, everyone!"
For consistent effort
"I’ve noticed how consistently you’ve been performing at a high level week after week. Your attention to detail and reliability make a real difference in keeping the team on track. Keep up the great work!"
For creative solutions or innovation
"Your innovative idea for streamlining the workflow was absolutely brilliant. It’s exactly the kind of thinking that helps us stay ahead of the curve. Thanks for pushing the team to think outside the box!"
For personal growth and development
"I’ve seen such growth in your ability to handle new challenges and take on more responsibility. The progress you’ve made in your role is truly impressive, and I look forward to seeing even more great things from you."
For maintaining a positive attitude
"Your positive energy and willingness to tackle any challenge head-on are truly inspiring. You bring such a great attitude to the team every day, and it makes all the difference."
Give Memorable Praise with Thankbox!
Ready to boost your team's morale with meaningful praise? Start recognising their efforts today by creating a Thankbox as a team. It’s a heartfelt way to express gratitude for everyone’s contributions.
Wrapping up
Praise is a powerful tool to motivate your team, boost morale, and foster a positive work environment. By offering timely, specific, and sincere recognition, you show appreciation and encourage continued success.
For a more meaningful touch, consider using Thankbox to create personalised group cards, gathering messages from the team to celebrate their efforts. Start making praise a regular part of your team culture, and watch how it strengthens relationships and drives excellence.
Images: Cover | Woman Standing On Sunflower Field | Close-up of Touching Hands | Man and Woman Clapping their Hands | Boy Holding Silver Figurine of Football Player
