9 positive behaviours organisations should celebrate

From stepping up as a leader, to the “No-Stats All-Stars”, here are some insights that may help you.

Stepping up as a leader

There is often an emphasis on leadership development and equipping leaders with the skills to cultivate a positive culture and achieve business results. I'm a firm believer that leadership is not reserved for those with a formal title and there are many examples of team members stepping up, leading and mentoring without being prompted — and often without being recognised. Think about what impact acknowledging that we all have the ability to lead can have on your organisation's culture. It's empowering when you're shown that your genuine efforts are noticed and celebrated.
Shonna Amos, EWP Coaching and Consulting

The ability to learn from mistakes

One positive behaviour that companies should recognise is the employees’ ability and willingness to learn from their mistakes. This shows that they are ready to improve themselves and grow. It also highlights their ability to work in a team and shows how good the employee is at collaborating with others. This is something that you as an employer must recognise. The best way to do this is by offering rewards. It’ll make your employees feel encouraged and know that their efforts and hard work don’t go unnoticed.
Ryan Stewart, Webris

Inclusive practices

Diversity drives innovation, and to navigate the future of work, it's essential that companies have the ability to transform. When you see your employees proactively seeking out different perspectives, and appreciating the diverse backgrounds and points of view of their colleagues — celebrate it! It's those actions that will inspire creativity, drive performance and create a better culture.
Marie Unger, Emergenetics International

Charity work

If an employee does some kind of volunteer work, that's something you should recognise. Featuring them in your internal communications — like newsletters and blast emails — will help build morale and improve employee relations. Also, consider sharing about their experience on your social media pages. Seeing that positive people work for your company can work as a great recruiting tool.
Rachel Blank, Allara

Assertive honesty

Assertive employees are objectively vocal with their thoughts. They use a straightforward and honest approach in communicating with their leaders. They ensure that issues within the organisation are addressed right away. Assertive employees have high self-esteem, but they never forget to respect their leaders and colleagues. Their confidence doesn’t intend to harm anyone — they use it to help the business achieve its goals.
Jake Smith, Absolute Reg

Customer focused mindset

Excellent employees focus on the customer, and this is behaviour that should be celebrated. These employees know that without the customer, nothing else matters, so everything they do is from their perspective. They will work non-stop to create the right environment to support the customer and understand this work needs to be done. The only way to survive as a business is to keep your customers coming back, so whatever these employees do should be highlighted and then implemented by the rest of your team.
Mark Daoust, Quiet Light

Strong work ethic and initiative

I appreciate employees who have a strong independent work ethic and take the initiative to get projects done without asking. For example, some employees can work two steps ahead – they are almost always prepared and finalise deliverables before requested. The strong work ethic of this type of employee saves the company time and money, and they often become a go-to resource for questions and concerns for other team members. If you're looking to promote from within, these employees should be first in line.
Cesar Cruz, Sebastian Cruz Couture

Fostering a team spirit

Employees who go above and beyond for their coworkers deserve recognition. Teamwork requires passionate employees willing to sacrifice their own time to educate and motivate their coworkers. Recognise employee behaviours that foster a community of helpfulness within your organisation. Successful businesses can only work like a well-oiled machine if the team is unified.
Amrita Saigal, Kudos

The "No-Stats All-Stars"

Author Michael Lewis identified the archetype over a decade ago – an athlete who helps every team he plays on despite having mediocre stats. They're not just in sports and there’s probably one in your organisation. Some common traits they share include atypically long tenures for the same organizations, and they often work with the same core of people who know their value. “No-Stat All-Stars” frequently maintain positive attitudes even in times of stress. Often their job descriptions are unremarkable, but their references tell a different story, usually singing their praises. Finally, they’re willing to take on tasks they're overqualified for and challenges above their pay-grade. “No-Stats All-Stars” are easy to overlook, and to take advantage of, until they're gone.
Nirav Sheth, Anatta Design