I like knowing that I am appreciated. It’s just that for me, fostering morale and showing appreciation isn’t in grand gestures, it’s in the small things. It’s in the smiles and jokes and friendly kind things done – not in single giant gestures. And I prefer it to be a gesture rather than words – and if it’s going to be words, just something simple, a thank you. “You’re amazing, you’re the best, you pulled an amazing trick…” While any of it may be true, it’s… just too much.

Thank me for doing my job, reward me for doing exceptional work. Make sense?

*Ahem* Don’t mind the org theory geek over here. I got off track …

As I continued to read this, however, I saw your point was entirely different from that which I originally thought it would be – in other words, you feel that if the person isn’t sincere, they shouldn’t bother. I definitely can’t dispute THAT fact.

So, I edit my above statement: Sincere positive reinforcement fosters morale, which in turn fosters a positive organization that will thrive and grow.

In other words, well said. 🙂