Underappreciated at Work? Do This!

We all want to feel valued at work and know that our actions are appreciated. Feeling undervalued can often result in negativity, loss of motivation, or resentment for work, and the company. Feeling unappreciated can often lead to a negative impact on health and wellbeing, as individuals may feel stressed or anxious if they don’t feel valued.

Most companies will have some form of an HR department, there to ensure your needs are met and you are supported in your working environment. Some companies even use HR systems features to improve communication and functions, and to support their employees. If you feel underappreciated at work or undervalued, there are some steps you can take to turn the situation around…

Surround yourself with positive people

Try to avoid getting caught up in negative conversations, as these can heavily influence your view and mood. Instead, spend time with people who are energetic and positive about the business as much as possible. Don’t make assumptions about your seniors – they may be under a lot of pressure and may value your work but not always show it.

Talk openly with your boss

Be clear, open, and honest when discussing your personal development, goals, and ambitions. It’s important to raise any potential issues but do so in a subtle way so as you don’t appear to be too negative. Avoid confrontation and make sure you are calm and collected during the conversation, don’t speak to your boss when you are angry as you may say something that you regret. Indicate that, at times, you don’t feel your work or the work of your team is appreciated. Ask for more feedback on your performance at work and how to improve your ways of working, or suggest that you would like more help and guidance on how to improve in your role.

Recognize the success of others

Support your colleagues and be sure to encourage their successes and achievements. If you’re a part of a team, look for opportunities to praise them for their work, either privately or publicly. Although make sure your praise is genuine and not overdone, as this can reduce the impact of real appreciation.

Find the positives

Instead of focusing on the negatives, look for the positives. Sometimes work can be so frantic that we forget to stop and process our achievements. Make a list of positives of both team and personal success stories. Put it somewhere you can see it to regularly remind yourself of what you have achieved. This will boost your self-esteem and happiness and also increase your ability to recognize your achievements, increase self-motivation, and keep you in a positive thought process. Those who are highly successful have often developed the ability to motivate themselves in the workplace.

Your happiness is key

Still don’t feel valued after following these steps? Then you may have to weigh up whether your job is enough to keep you at the company. If the situation is causing you stress or harm, then you may need to consider looking for work elsewhere. Your happiness, mental health, and wellbeing is a priority.