The pyramid structure of most organizations often leads to it being the manager's job to recognize employees. You know how it works. A colleague does a great job and you take it upon yourself to mention it to someone higher up in order for her to be recognized or rewarded.



But is that really the way workplace recognition should work? First off, is your manager going to have the time to do it, and if she does, will she deliver the kudos in a timlely manner, with as much passion as you have? There is a better way. Give employees the tools for instant peer-to-peer recognition.

Ok, I'll wait a few minutes while you catch your breath. But seriously, as social media becomes more and more common, why can't we harness some of the tools for motivation at work? Sure, nobody wants to hear about what Jim from accounting had for dinner last night, but I would argue that everyone would like to know how he went the extra mile to help out a colleague with an issue that he was struggling with.

Managers should not be the only people responsible for recognizing good work. Think about how empowered your employees will feel with the tools to make someone's day instantly. We call that recognition an applause, and it's a great way to put a smile on someone's face.

So how about it? Are you ready to give your employees the power to inspire each other?