Using Appreciation to Support Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)
Appreciation isn’t just about boosting morale. It can support inclusive workplaces where every team member feels seen, respected, and valued. Recognition, when delivered meaningfully, helps build emotional safety—especially in organizations working to deepen diversity, equity, and inclusion.
A recent Gallup–Workhuman study found that for Black and Hispanic employees, receiving the right amount of recognition is linked to a 43–44% reduction in burnout rates. It also significantly reduces the likelihood that they’re searching for a new job. These numbers highlight a simple truth: appreciation, when delivered thoughtfully, contributes directly to belonging.
Let’s dive into how appreciation and DEI efforts can work hand in hand. Keep reading for practical strategies that create lasting impact.
How Appreciation Reinforces Inclusion
When people feel genuinely valued, they show up more fully. But in diverse workplaces, the ways individuals feel appreciated can vary widely. Some prefer private words of affirmation; others respond to small acts of support or meaningful gifts.
Inclusive workplaces take these differences into account. They avoid one-size-fits-all solutions and instead focus on understanding what appreciation looks like for each person. This kind of awareness helps prevent feelings of being overlooked or excluded—and instead cultivates connection.
Appreciation as a Tool to Promote Equity
Equity is about ensuring every individual has the support they need to thrive—not just equal treatment, but personalized investment. Appreciation can play a big role here.
Appreciation programs rooted in equity emphasize fairness over favoritism. They ensure that underrepresented team members are included and celebrated for their strengths. Appreciation and DEI strategies that work together often rely on data, intentional feedback loops, and peer involvement to keep recognition from becoming biased or unbalanced.
Actionable Appreciation Strategies for DEI
Training Awareness
Help your teams become more self-aware of their own appreciation preferences—and those of others. Workshops on the 5 Languages of Appreciation can uncover gaps in perception and reduce unintentional exclusion.
Personalized Recognition
Have your team take the Motivating By Appreciation Inventory to learn how each employee prefers to be appreciated. Then apply that knowledge consistently, ensuring recognition is aligned with individual preferences, roles, and cultural values.
Inclusive Habits and ERGs
Incorporate recognition into existing employee resource groups (ERGs) or inclusive workplace traditions. Regular shoutouts, appreciation walls, or allowing space for cultural celebrations can be powerful. But do consult with your employees first to determine whether they feel comfortable with these activities.
Leadership’s Role in Modeling Inclusive Appreciation
Appreciation starts at the top. When executive leaders demonstrate thoughtful, inclusive recognition, others follow. This means noticing and affirming the contributions of individuals from all backgrounds, listening with empathy, and publicly reinforcing the organization’s values of respect and belonging. Leadership that consistently practices appreciation helps weave valuing employees into the fabric of the culture, not just as an HR task but as a core value.
Measuring Impact
To know if your appreciation and DEI strategies are working, measure them. Look for trends in:
- Participation in recognition programs
- Feedback on inclusivity in appreciation (use the Appreciation at Work™ Rating Scale)
- Employee surveys around feeling valued
- Retention rates across demographic groups
Even small shifts in sentiment or behavior can reflect meaningful change. Recognition is not a one-time fix—it’s a continual practice that requires reflection and adjustment.
Learn More About Appreciation With Us
Inclusive leaders and forward-thinking HR teams want to build workplaces where people don’t just show up—they belong. After all, no team deserves to work in an environment where they feel invisible or misunderstood.
Appreciation at Work™ understands how appreciation and DEI intersect. With years of research-backed training tools, we help organizations embed recognition into the heart of culture-building. Let us help you create inclusive spaces where recognition is intentional and impactful through our workplace communication strategies.
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Categories 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace
