Yes, this is going to be a post about work, but it’s not going to be a whiny or complain-y post. You’re welcome. 

Recently at work we’ve implemented a recognition program by which employees and managers can recognize each other for good work. Such a program is intended to increase employee engagement. In the past, at other jobs, I’ve been loath to use these programs because they feel artificial, but at this job I figure that since we’re starting from the ground up with the program I might as well set a good example. 

So I posted my first recognition message, to a colleague who has helped me a lot on one of my projects. It was a brief message – – we’re not expected to write a book, after all – – and I included a gif that says “I appreciate you”. 

I really do appreciate this colleague and all the help he has given me these past few months, but it still feels a little artificial to me. Artificial and, in a way, performative. That said, I also know how powerful even a small positive message can be – – for months my boss didn’t give me any positive feedback, and then when he did so recently even that small crumb was surprising and welcome. 

Maybe it’s because of my cynicism. Maybe it’s because of my mental health issues. Maybe it’s because work has realized they need to increase employee engagement and this is a relatively-inexpensive way to do it (minus the startup costs of getting this program up and running, and the monthly subscription fee the company pays). After all, people sending each other kudos is a much cheaper option than, y’know, actually recognizing people with money, which is what we all really want. 

Probably my cynicism, though, because these programs have been proven to work. Not going to make me feel any less performative, though.