Navigating the Unexpected Challenges of Employee Appreciation

I held space today for a difficult conversation with myself. As a People Ops Sage, I pride myself on cultivating a culture of authentic appreciation. So when our rockstar dev team crushed their latest project, I knew it was time to celebrate their remarkable achievement.

I poured my heart into orchestrating the perfect pizza party. From meticulously curating the toppings to ensuring a harmonious balance of gluten and gluten-free options, every detail was infused with empathy. I even splurged on premium napkins, because our people deserve nothing less.

But as I watched the team halfheartedly nibble on their slices, an unexpected heaviness filled the room. Whispers of "Is this it?" and "I worked 80-hour weeks for pepperoni?" drifted through the air like a discordant melody.

In that moment, I realized that perhaps pizza alone couldn't quite capture the depth of our gratitude. But rather than succumbing to despair, I chose to lean into curiosity.

You see, true growth lies in embracing the discomfort of unmet expectations. It's in these vulnerable moments that we have the opportunity to peel back the layers of our assumptions and uncover the authentic needs of our people.

So tomorrow, I will bravely engage in 1:1 conversations with each team member. I will hold space for their truths, even if those truths are seasoned with disappointment. Because active listening is the secret sauce of emotional nourishment.

In the meantime, I invite all of you to reflect on how we can infuse more meaning into our celebrations. Can we sprinkle in a heartfelt speech acknowledging individual contributions? Can we knead in some extra paid time off to honor their sacrifices?

Remember, our role as leaders is to cultivate psychological safety, one slice at a time. So let us break bread together, knowing that every crumb is an opportunity for growth.

Grateful for this journey of continuous improvement. Together, we rise like perfectly proofed dough. 🍕✨

#PeopleOps #AuthenticAppreciation #GrowthMindset