05/28/2026
People don’t disengage because they don’t care.
They disengage when they can’t see the impact of their work.
Google’s Project Aristotle studied more than 180 teams to understand what makes some teams successful while others struggle.
One of the strongest findings?
People perform better when they understand their work matters.
That’s why recognition is so important.
Recognition isn’t just about awards or annual reviews. It’s about helping people SEE the value they bring every day.
When leaders consistently recognize contributions, employees better understand:
✔️ Why their work matters
✔️ How they contribute to success
✔️ That they are valued
And that kind of culture can’t rest on one manager alone. It has to be modeled from the top down and reinforced throughout the organization.
When people feel seen and connected to purpose, engagement and retention follow.
Recognition isn’t fluff.
It’s leadership.