Feeling that mid-winter morale dip? The one where everyone is showing up but the spark has gone a bit flat?

This episode is about turning that around quickly and sensibly. No extra budget. No balloons. No forced fun or another all-hands meeting that everyone secretly dreads. Just appreciation that actually lands.

We dig into what really works in small teams, where culture spreads fast for better or worse. It comes down to a simple habit that takes about 15 seconds. Name a specific action, link it to a real impact, and say you want more of it. That is it. Done properly, it builds confidence, cuts background noise, and nudges the right behaviours to repeat.

I walk through a five-minute routine designed for busy managers. One specific message each day. A short weekly team shout-out with two clear wins. And a monthly impact note that people actually remember. Small, consistent actions beat grand gestures every time.

We also talk about appreciation as trust, not praise for the sake of it. Giving someone meaningful work. Asking for their judgement. Letting them lead a client conversation or shape a decision. That kind of recognition fuels development instead of eye-rolls.

Because not everyone wants public praise, we tackle the awkward bit head on. There is one question that removes most of the discomfort:

“When you’ve done a great job, how do you like to be recognised?”

The answers vary. Private thanks. Public praise. More autonomy. Time to learn. Being trusted with something important. All of it counts if it matches the person.

We draw some clear boundaries too. Appreciation is not a bribe. It is not a way to dodge performance conversations. And it is definitely not a once-a-year exercise. You will hear the common mistakes to avoid, like only praising the loudest voices, waiting for big wins, or focusing on personality instead of behaviour.

To get you started, I share a simple checklist and a seven-day appreciation challenge you can try immediately. When recognition is consistent, cynicism fades surprisingly fast.

People repeat what gets noticed. Over time, those repeats become your culture and your edge.

If this sparks ideas, follow the show, share it with a manager who needs the nudge, and leave a quick review so more teams find practical tools that actually work.

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Have questions or need HR advice? Reach out to Kate Underwood HR & Training at www.kateunderwoodhr.co.uk, email us on [email protected] or follow us on social media for more tips, resources, and updates.

Until next time, keep buzzing and take care of your people!