ali khan
Ali Khan
Co-founder
Published On
April 8, 2024
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8 Key Steps for Employee Recognition in Microsoft Team

Hi there!

Today, we’ll discuss how making each team member or employee feel recognized and appreciated is more important than ever for maintaining high employee morale and productivity. 

Every leader wants a team that feels appreciated and energized.

You, me, everyone.

In every workplace, there’s a universal truth: recognition fuels motivation. But not everyone knows how to effectively recognize their team's efforts.

Since you’re using Microsoft Teams for tasks and talks, it can also be used as a powerhouse to make them feel recognized and appreciated or rewarded for their hard work.

You must be wondering, “Can Microsoft Teams have an employee recognition feature?” Absolutely. Here’s a sneak peek at what I’ll uncover:

  • Microsoft Teams feature for Employee Recognition: Dive into how Teams can be your arena for celebrating achievements big and small.
  • Optimizing Teams for Praise: Tips on tweaking Teams settings to spotlight your stars effortlessly.
  • The Best Recognition Features and Apps: Explore built-in features and third-party apps that make recognizing efforts seamless within Teams.
  • Recognition Done Right: Nail down the art of meaningful recognition with practical tips for using Teams.

This isn’t your run-of-the-mill advice. It’s tried and tested strategies, ready to transform your team’s dynamics.

Let’s jump right in.

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How to Recognize Employees in Microsoft Teams?

Microsoft Teams provides a suite of intuitive features that streamline employee recognition within your organization.

At its core, the 'Praise' functionality allows you to send virtual badges as a simple and effective way to commend exceptional work. 

Beyond that, Teams offers multiple channels for public shout-outs, enabling you to celebrate team achievements visible to everyone. 

A simple "Great job, team!" can go a long way in boosting morale and fostering a positive environment.

For more personal touch points, direct messages allow you to express genuine appreciation through heartfelt thank-you notes. 

This personalized approach strengthens relationships and demonstrates your investment in each individual's success.

Moreover, video calls within Teams can serve as virtual spaces for celebratory moments. A round of applause or words of encouragement delivered face-to-face can significantly impact your team's motivation.

The key to effective employee recognition lies in its regularity. Teams seamlessly integrate into your daily workflow, making it effortless to acknowledge hard work and dedication consistently.

microsoft praise feature

From my experience, the simple act of recognizing someone in Teams can boost morale significantly. It shows you care.

So, Microsoft Teams for Employee Recognition? Absolutely. It offers simple, yet powerful ways to show your team they're valued.

How to Set Up Your Microsoft Teams Environment for Recognition?

Setting up Teams for recognition is easier than you think. Let me show you how.

  • First, find the "recognition setting." It’s not one button but a mindset. Create a dedicated channel named "Cheers" or "Bravos."

  • In this channel, use tabs wisely. Add a Praise tab, maybe a quick poll for "Employee of the Month" nominations. 

  • Pinning messages is key. Highlight exceptional praise or achievements. It shows what’s valued and encourages more of the same.

  • Use the announcement feature for big wins. It's a surefire way to grab attention and celebrate together.
employee recognition in MS Teams
  • Using @mentions grabs attention. It makes the recognition personal and direct. They’ll see it, I promise.

  • Don't overlook emojis and GIFs. They bring warmth and personality to your recognitions, making them memorable.

You can also schedule monthly recognition meetings. Use Teams to bring everyone together for a virtual applause. Keep it simple but consistent. Recognition becomes part of your culture this way.

Always ask, "What is the recognition setting in Teams?" Think beyond technical settings to create a culture of appreciation.

Using Microsoft Teams for employee recognition is about leveraging every feature to create a positive, affirming environment.

I've seen this approach turn workplaces around. A little setup goes a long way. It turns Teams into more than a tool; it becomes a community hub. 

How to Make Your Team Feel Recognized with Wrenly and Microsoft Teams

Integrating Wrenly with Microsoft Teams allows leaders to recognize and appreciate employees directly within their daily workflow. Here’s a detailed guide to seamlessly connect Wrenly to Microsoft Teams and start recognizing your team members effectively.

Step 1: Install Wrenly App in Microsoft Teams App Store

  • Open Microsoft Teams and head to the Apps section. Use the search function to find the Wrenly app. Select it and follow the prompts to install it to your Teams environment. 
 Installing Wrenly App in Microsoft Teams App Store

Step 2: Go to Wrenly AI Dashboard and Click on 'Peer Recognition'

  • After installation, access the Wrenly app from your Teams sidebar. This will take you to the Wrenly AI dashboard. Look for the option labeled ‘Peer Recognition’ and click on it. 
peer recognition in MS Teams

Step 3: (Optional) Invite HR or Leadership Members to Become Admins

  • Within the Wrenly dashboard, you will find settings or an admin panel. Here, you can invite other members of your team, such as HR or leadership, to become admins. Enter their email addresses or select their names from a list to send them invitations.

Step 4: From Dashboard, Head to Peer Recognition

  • If you navigated away from it, return to the ‘Peer Recognition’ section of the Wrenly dashboard. This is where you’ll manage and send recognitions. 
wrenly ai dashboard in microsoft teams

Step 5: Click on 'Recognize Someone', and a Pop-up Will Appear

  • Look for a button or link saying ‘Send Recognition'. Clicking on this will open a pop-up window or form where you’ll enter the recognition details.

employee recognition in MS Teams

Step 6: Add Information Like, #Channel Name, Employee You're Recognizing, Company Values, a Message, GIFs, or Any Image

  • In the pop-up form, fill in the required fields: some text
    • #Channel Name: Specify the Microsoft Teams channel where the recognition will be posted.
    • Employee: Type in the name of the employee you are recognizing.
    • Company Values: Select or type in the company values that the employee exemplifies.
    • Message: Write a heartfelt message of appreciation.
    • GIFs/Images: Optionally, add a GIF or image to make the recognition more engaging.

Step 7: Click on 'Send Recognition'

  • After completing the form with all the necessary details, click the ‘Send Recognition’ button. This action will post your message of appreciation in the specified Teams channel, visible to all members. 

Step 8: You Can See in Dashboard

  • To view and manage sent recognitions, simply return to the Wrenly dashboard. There, you’ll find a section or tab labeled similarly to ‘Sent Recognitions’ or ‘Recognition History’, where you can review all the recognitions you’ve sent. 
Wrenly employee recognition dashboard

By following these steps, you will enhance your team’s morale and productivity by making sure every member feels valued and recognized directly within the Microsoft Teams platform.

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3 Best Practices for Recognizing Employees on Teams

How do you recognize employees for good work? This question is crucial for leaders and HR professionals who strive to create a culture of recognition within their teams. 

Recognizing employees isn’t just about the occasional “good job” or annual awards; it’s about integrating appreciation into the fabric of your daily operations, especially when using platforms like Teams. 

Here are top 3 tips for creating a culture of recognition that emphasizes regularity, specificity, and inclusivity. 

Regularity: 

Recognize efforts consistently. It's important that recognition isn't seen as a rare event but as a regular part of team interaction. This constant reinforcement encourages ongoing excellence and boosts morale. 


Recognition shouldn't be a tick-box exercise but a genuine reflection of appreciation. Incorporating regular, meaningful recognition into team meetings or using Teams channels dedicated to celebrating successes can make a significant difference.

Specificity: 

Be specific about what you are recognizing. Generic praise is less impactful than recognizing someone for a specific action or result. This specificity not only makes the recognition more meaningful but also reinforces the behaviors you want to see in your team. 


When acknowledging an employee's contribution, detail what exactly impressed you and why it matters. This clarity helps the team understand the value of their work and motivates them to continue contributing positively. 

Inclusivity: 

Make sure your recognition efforts include everyone. Recognition should be accessible to all team members, regardless of their role or level of seniority. This inclusivity ensures that everyone feels valued and seen, which is fundamental to building a strong team culture. 


Inclusive recognition means celebrating both the front-runners and the behind-the-scenes contributors. Encouraging peer-to-peer recognition on Teams can also foster a more inclusive and supportive environment. 

Creating a culture of recognition within your team isn't just about making people feel good; it's about driving performance, engagement, and satisfaction. 

By focusing on regularity, specificity, and inclusivity, you can cultivate an environment where everyone feels appreciated and motivated to contribute their best. 

As leaders and HR professionals, our goal is to ensure that every team member knows their work is valued and that their contributions are vital to our success. Let's make recognition a cornerstone of our team culture. 

Conclusion

Thank you for sticking with us till the very end! 😊

We've covered a lot of ground today, so let's recap the main points: 

➡️ We started by highlighting the importance of making every team member feel valued and appreciated. Recognition is key to high morale and productivity. 

➡️ Microsoft Teams isn't just for tasks and talks; it's a fantastic platform for praising your team members. We've explored how Teams can be your go-to tool for celebrating both big and small achievements. 

➡️ I shared tips on customizing Teams settings to spotlight your team's stars effortlessly, including the use of the Praise feature, dedicated channels, and more. 

➡️ We dived into the best features and third-party apps, like Wrenly, that make giving recognition within Teams seamless and effective. 

➡️ Finally, we discussed the art of meaningful recognition, emphasizing the impact of regular, personalized praise on team morale. 

Now, you're all set to make your team members feel truly recognized and valued through Microsoft Teams. But remember, the tools and features are only as effective as how you use them. 

If you're looking to take employee recognition to the next level, consider checking out Wrenly. Here's why: 

  • Wrenly integrates smoothly with Microsoft Teams, allowing for seamless recognition right within your daily workflow.

  • It's incredibly user-friendly; even if you're not tech-savvy, you can start recognizing your team's efforts in just a few clicks.

  • Starting with Wrenly is risk-free; there's a free trial that lets you explore its features without any commitment. You don't even need a credit card to sign up!

In essence, Wrenly could be the game-changer for your team's recognition program, making it easier and more effective than ever to show your team just how much you value their hard work and dedication. 

Why not give Wrenly a try? It could be the first step towards transforming your team's culture and boosting morale and productivity through the roof. 

Thanks again for reading, and here's to creating a more appreciative and motivated team environment! See you next time!

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More Articles From Ali Khan

Ali is a co-founder of Wrenly known for his innovative thinking and exceptional drive to create value for every Wrenly customer. His dedication, mentorship, and leadership skills have not only shaped various careers but have also made him an invaluable asset to the Wrenly team.

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