75. Expert Interview: Employee Recognition—Making it Real, with Dr. Paul White

Dr. Paul White specializes in the language of authentic appreciation, and how to express it meaningfully to others. Co-author of three books and the Motivating by Appreciation Inventory, used by corporations, colleges and universities, medical facilities, schools, non-profit organizations, and government agencies. Feelings of being unappreciated are cited by 79% of people that leave an organization voluntarily. Companies have responded by creating employee recognition programs. “The problem is, they're largely viewed as inauthentic and disingenuous, just sort of going through the motions,” Dr. White explains. The key: learning the language of appreciation.