Create Space for Appreciation

Building a strong and positive culture in a unit requires intentional action and activities. Team building exercises, retreats, and end of the year recognition events are common in universities. Between these larger events and regular staff meetings, consider adding Appreciation Meetings to your schedule. Appreciation Meetings are times when participants are present to one another and are recognized using the language of appreciation.

Many units at MSU feature kind and inclusive work environments that regularly thank each other for their work, share compliments, and point out accomplishments. An Appreciation Meeting amplifies regular courteous and affirming practices with a deeper investment of quality time, acts of service, and connection. It could take the place of an existing meeting, be combined with a training, or be a new meeting. Appreciation Meetings are a chance to be creative and to get to know the people you work with.

A sample of an Appreciation Meeting held last fall by the College of Social Science in partnership with Faculty and Academic Staff Affairs (FASA) demonstrates how some simple activities can confirm a unit’s appreciation of its team members.