Why It Matters to Reward the Everyday Wins

In personal terms and in the office, we tend to reserve praise for the big moments. A promotion, a significant anniversary, a personal achievement - these are what leads to champagne toasts and celebratory gatherings. The truth of the matter is, though, that life usually unfolds between the banner moments. It is lived in the quiet reliability of people who show up, keep things together, and support others; and generally, this is met with little fanfare.

We’re not talking about grand gestures here. We’re talking about acknowledging the quiet, steady moments that tend to go unseen - and why choosing to mark them matters more than we think.

When someone handles a heavy workload with a patient attitude, lifting up their team behind the scenes, or simply being the steady sounding board for others, that effort should be rewarded with more than silent appreciation. Even a brief note or verbal thanks can be important; a way of saying “I see what you do, and I want you to know it’s appreciated”.

Rewarding these things isn’t about puffing up someone’s ego or offering a fanfare with trumpets. It’s about positively reinforcing the importance of thoughtfulness, consistency and calmness under pressure, which can often matter more than one-off achievements.

Not every show of appreciation needs to be recognised formally. Indeed, the message is often more meaningful when it happens off-hand, a small indication that fits naturally into the everyday. That could mean picking up a coffee for someone on the way to a meeting, or leaving a post-it on a colleague’s desk after a long week. Outside of the workplace it could take the shape of cooking dinner for a friend who has been run off their feet.

It may even simply take the form of saying to them “I noticed the effort you’ve been putting in. It may not seem like much, but it matters. Thank you.”. On their own, none of these gestures are akin to hanging out the bunting - but they help someone realise that their efforts don’t go without appreciation, and that can mean the world to someone, also ensuring that they’re happy to keep putting the work in.

The key to rewarding people in a meaningful way is sincerity. It doesn’t need to be elaborate to hit the mark. Indeed, the most generous acknowledgements are often in the context of an existing relationship, a moment that reinforces rather than surprises. It shouldn’t be the big gesture that is remembered, but rather what it represents.

For this kind of giving, it is important to emphasise flexibility. Sometimes it’s better not to plan a performative presentation of a gift-wrapped show-stopper. A low-pressure option such as gift cards can be better than something they feel pressured to appreciate. A box of chocolates, bunch of flowers or bottle of something indulgent carries the risk of not being what they would choose for themselves, and in that way the gesture can overshadow the person receiving it. Sometimes the most thoughtful thing is to let them treat themselves.

It’s simple enough to appreciate and recognise when someone has aced an interview, or delivered a big win - and it certainly should be done. But sometimes the colleague who spotted an error and corrected it, the friend who waited behind to tidy up, or the neighbour who called in without making a big deal are the ones who make things better.

When you reward this kind of thoughtful, unfussy reliability with a book or a favourite pastry, you lift their morale. You make it more likely they’ll keep that energy going - and it also becomes the norm to appreciate the little things. These people, and those who see the gesture, will be more likely to reward others in the same way. Good energy ripples outwards, and can become something special. And to take a moment to get more serious, studies have shown that people who work hard without any recognition are more likely to experience burnout.

We all appreciate the big occasions and the showy celebrations when the situation demands them. There’s nothing at all wrong with rewarding something special. Yet recognition doesn’t have to take the form of a parade and ceremony. Sometimes, the most powerful thing you can offer is a moment for someone who has worked hard unsung; that little accolade that says “You’ve done well, and it’s not gone unnoticed”. It’s an honest, human moment, and one that can remind us all that life happens between the milestones.