151 Quick Ideas to Recognize and Reward Employees

133Significant Assignments

Some of the greatest rewards are generated by work itself, especially if the work is significant, challenging, and varied. When employees complete difficult high-level projects, they receive rewards from two different sources, both of which play premier roles in the recognition process.

One major source of recognition is actually from the employee him- or herself. When employees stretch themselves to undertake and complete assignments that seemed beyond their reach, they experience high levels of self-satisfaction, self-worth, and achievement, all of which are major psychological rewards with long-lasting positive effects.

The second key source of rewards is the employee’s manager. When an employee completes a Herculean ...