Give praise and thanks often.
No, this isn’t a religious sermon — but it’s certainly based on timeless, godly principles.
This is about regularly acknowledging and appreciating the people around you — those who contribute to your success, whether in business, PR, or any other field.
And here’s the thing: doing so can have a bigger impact than money.
Who DOESN’T Love Compliments?
We ALL love hearing from others about how we’re doing.
It reminds us of the justification of our existence and why we do what we do.
I love it when I hear from newsletter subscribers regarding one of my messages. If you have a minute, please send your thoughts on this newsletter via email.
In fact, next week I’ll share some of the comments I’ve received since the newsletter launched in May 2024.
Praise and Recognition Matter More Than You Think
Employees thrive when they feel valued. Acknowledging their hard work doesn’t just boost morale — it fosters a culture of trust, engagement, and excellence.
According to an article on Reward & Employee Benefits Association’s (REBA) website — a network of HR professionals pursuing best practices in employee engagement — effective recognition includes four key elements:
- Specific – General compliments (“Great job!”) don’t carry the same weight as calling out exact contributions: “Your initiative on that client pitch was outstanding — your insights really strengthened our proposal.”
- Timely – The best recognition happens in the moment, not months later at an annual review. A quick, immediate “That was fantastic” sticks far better than delayed praise.
- Meaningful – A nod from peers is great, but recognition from leadership carries extra weight. People want to know their work is valued by decision-makers.
- Genuine – Empty flattery is obvious. Authentic praise means acknowledging real effort and real impact.
Small changes in how we recognize people can have huge effects. In fact, REBA found that allocating just 0.2% to 0.3% of payroll to employee recognition significantly improves engagement, retention and productivity.
An Unexpected, Flowery Thanks
Praise is free, but a very minor investment, as suggested in the stats above, can be meaningful and memorable.
For example, Leticia — my wife and business partner — still vividly remembers how she felt as a lowly bank teller nearly 40 years ago when she received a brief thank you note attached to a beautiful bouquet. It was from the president of the bank, whom she had never met, for her above-and-beyond customer service.
His acknowledgement of her patient, empathic interaction with a distraught customer, who was trying to understand her financial situation after her husband’s death, remains influential to Leticia.
A Story of Pro Bono PR Work
And this principle of praise and thanks applies to all kinds of work — even pro bono.
I do pro bono PR work for my church, overseeing communications across East Tennessee, Asheville (NC), Western Virginia, and a slice of Northern Georgia.
Recently, our 11 congregations were restructured due to growth. New congregations were formed, and new leadership was appointed. It was a major event in my region, and I saw an opportunity for press coverage.
Usually, I’m assigned PR projects. But this time, I took the initiative.
Playing Reporter
That weekend, I attended several meetings, took detailed notes like a journalist, and captured photos of the new leadership.
On Sunday, I sat down at my iMac and spent an additional three to four hours crafting “the perfect” press release. I fine-tuned every word, ensuring it aligned with our messaging, mission and audience. I also, of course, made sure it had clarity, impact and authenticity.
Then, I sent the finished draft to two people:
- My direct supervisor, who oversees communications in my area.
- Her supervisor, who has final approval authority.
Their responses couldn’t have been more different.
And that’s what inspired this week’s message.
(But first, let me clarify: I don’t do work just to receive praise. I take pride in what I do, whether or not I get recognition.)
My supervisor’s reply?
“Thank you so much for sharing your talents so freely. If you weren’t here, I don’t know that a press release [for this event] would happen. We are so lucky to have you!”
That simple response made my day.
It made me feel valued. My effort had mattered. Yay!
Her supervisor — who’s always super helpful, great to work with, and usually very complimentary — sent a very different response.
All she said was we can’t quote the person I quoted, and then she gave me a definition to insert to clarify a term I used that’s not familiar to those outside of our church.
That was it.
OK, I must have caught her at a super busy time because this isn’t like her. I’m sure there have been times I’ve forgotten to include a compliment when I’m in a hurry.
Nevertheless, I felt a little empty; like my initiative to write this press release and the effort I put in meant nothing because it wasn’t acknowledged. All I got was a callout on a mistake I made and clarification I needed to add.
No “Nice job” or “Thank you.” Just a correction.
I wasn’t upset — I’m a professional, I can take feedback. And honestly, I appreciated the clarification.
But I also couldn’t help but notice how different these two responses felt.
One made me feel valued.
The other felt cold and distant — like my work had simply been scanned for errors.
Why Young Employees Need Praise — Maybe More Than a Raise
Now, imagine a young employee experiencing the same thing.
Someone new to the workforce who is still finding their confidence.
Someone who doesn’t yet have the security to brush off a lack of acknowledgment.
If they take initiative, go the extra mile, and receive zero recognition — what do you think happens the next time?
They may not bother.
Why? Because the effort wasn’t valued.
A simple “Nice work!” or “Great job!” — or better yet, specific praise — could make all the difference.
Why This Matters in PR, Business and Beyond
It’s easy to forget to give praise when we’re busy. Deadlines loom, pressures mount, and acknowledging effort may feel unnecessary.
But it’s not unnecessary. It’s essential.
I get it — we’re all busy.
I’m sure I’ve forgotten to acknowledge someone’s hard work in the past.
In summary, may all of us remember:
- A few kind words go a long way.
- Praise is free, yet incredibly valuable.
- Recognition fuels motivation, loyalty, and trust.
- A quick “Thank you” or “I appreciate what you did” takes two seconds — but it can create a lasting impact.
The 3 Big Takeaways
- Praise is powerful — A simple “thank you” or “nice job” can be more valuable than a raise.
- Recognition fuels motivation — Employees who feel appreciated are more engaged and productive.
- It takes no time at all — Two seconds, two words. A small effort makes a lasting impact.
Let’s make recognition a habit — because a little appreciation goes a long way.
And again, if you feel so inclined, please send your feedback (good or bad) on this newsletter via email. Your support as a subscriber and reader of this newsletter is meaningful to me. And in closing, 2 words in less than 2 seconds — THANK YOU!
Stay authentic… and press worthy!
Jeffery E. Pizzino, APR (seen here in a vintage photo circa 1983 serendipitously doing a Clash impersonation in a since-forgotten location) is a spin-free public relations pro who is passionate about telling the why of your story with clarity, impact and authenticity. He began his PR career in 1987 at Ketchum Public Relations in New York City but has spent the majority of his career as a solopreneur. He’s AuthenticityPR’s Chief Authentic Officer and also functions as the fractional CCO for technology startup Converus.
Jeff has an MBA in Management from Western International University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications — with an emphasis in PR — from Brigham Young University. He’s a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but also holds an Italian citizenship. Jeff and his storyteller wife Leticia have four children and four grandchildren. In his extremely limited nonwork hours, he studies italiano, practices guitar, write songs, gardens, disc golfs, reads, listens to New Wave music, serves in his church, watches BYU football, and plays Dominion and Seven Wonders. Email Jeff.
