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Are Your Clients Building a ‘Culture of Recognition’?

May 16, 2025

The Incentive Research Foundation (IRF) has released its newest study: Building a Culture of Recognition. Are your clients maximizing these principles?

The IRF study explores how engagement and recognition are interwoven within successful organizations, exploring the critical roles of consistent training and communication in fostering a culture where recognition is habitual and aligned with core values.

“Recognition programs have more business impact when used consistently across an organization,” said IRF President Stephanie Harris in a media announcement. “Our findings underscore the significant impact of meaningful and consistent recognition on employee engagement and performance. By fostering a culture of recognition, organizations can create a more motivated and committed workforce.”

Building a Culture of Recognition emphasizes the importance of timely, frequent, sincere, and consistent recognition in driving employee engagement and satisfaction. The study also examines the role of technology platforms in streamlining and enhancing recognition programs, making them more accessible and effective.”

Key insights presented in Building a Culture of Recognition include:

Recognition Frequency Drives Engagement and Sincerity: Employees who are recognized frequently—weekly, monthly, or even daily—report significantly higher engagement, job satisfaction, and perceived sincerity of recognition.
Timely Recognition Increases Perceived Authenticity: Recognition delivered promptly after an accomplishment is perceived as more sincere and impactful.
Sincerity Matters More Than Monetary Value: Recognition perceived as authentic has a stronger emotional and motivational effect than its tangible value.
Peer-to-Peer Platforms Boost Recognition Culture: Employees with access to recognition platforms are more likely to be recognized frequently and report higher engagement.
Recognition Program Design Should Evolve Beyond Individual Performance: Shifting toward more balanced recognition criteria can encourage teamwork, trust, and shared purpose.

To download the IRF white paper, the supplemental study The ‘Big Three’ Drivers of a Culture of Recognition, and appendices for this study, visit Building a Culture of Recognition.