Think back to receiving recognition for an achievement – that warm feeling of being appreciated stays with you for years. This isn't just a feel-good moment; it's a powerful leadership tool that drives real business results.

During his time as chairman and CEO of Yum! Brands, David Novak proved this by building a recognition-focused culture that led to an eightfold increase in the company's market capitalization. This success story is backed by solid research led by Dr. Margaret Duffy, the institute's executive director, who studied how recognition impacts workplace outcomes.

The findings were clear – employees who experienced a respectful work environment showed greater resilience in facing workplace challenges and reported higher levels of job satisfaction, loyalty, and engagement. Learn more about the research.

To build a strong culture of recognition, leaders should focus on two main areas: Creating a foundation of universal respect and providing individual recognition.

Are you ready to start building a recognition culture in your organization? Fill out the form below to learn how to use recognition to build a culture where everyone counts.