How to Define What ‘Recognition’ Means To You

One of the most common frustrations I hear from clients is that they work really hard but rarely get the recognition they deserve.

Is that you? Well if it is, I’ll tell you… you’re not alone!

I’ve heard countless women tell me they have left roles and organisations behind simply because they didn’t feel appreciated or valued.

Don’t let that be you! Because feeling overlooked hurts.

Your first step towards achieving greater recognition is to define what “recognition” means to you.

I coached a lady once who was livid she hadn’t been getting any recognition at work. “It’s been years!” she said. “I’ve not had a review and I’ve not had a good word said to me in all that time.”

When I asked her what “recognition” looked like for her, she angrily said, “Well, you know…. you know….!” I gave her a bit of space to think to help her get clearer herself.

After a while she said, “Actually you know what, my boss does occasionally say, “Good job” to me but that’s not what I want.”

“What do you want?” I asked.

“I want him to say something in public. I want him to say I’ve been doing the most awesome job at our Monday status meeting. In front of everyone. That’s what I want.”

Without knowing what “recognition” looks or feels or sounds like for you, it’s impossible to know what you’re expecting or asking for.

Here are some questions to help you thrash this one out:

• Who do you want to get this recognition from exactly? Your boss? A peer? Someone from the executive team? A client even?
• Would you like it to occur in a large public meeting?
• Or might you prefer receiving a quiet, private word instead?
• Would an email recognising your efforts satisfy you?
• Would a pay rise mean “recognition” for you?”
• Does the idea of being taken for a meal work for you?
• Do you just want a “thank you” for your brilliant work?
• Would you like small pieces of more regular feedback?
• Might “recognition” mean being given a bigger training budget for your own professional development?

Recognition means totally different things to different people and it is important you are a) being recognised and rewarded for your work and b) it is being done in a way that meets your values.

What are your experiences with this?

Rebecca Allen, COI of Illuminate Personal Growth, works with professional women to help them take their careers to the next level. If you are feeling underwhelmed by your lack of career progress, looking for support and encouragement and keen to learn new skills to improve your prospects, then you’re in the right place. We provide online career courses, courses for women, live workshops and leadership trainings in Sydney as well as 1-1 executive coaching. Get in touch!

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