Recognize Outcomes or Efforts?

How we recognize achievements can profoundly shape mindset and motivation. Psychologist Carol Dweck’s research on growth versus fixed mindsets sheds light on this, showing that the way people are praised affects their willingness to take on challenges. When children were praised for effort—“You worked so hard on this!”—they were more open to tackling difficult tasks, even if it meant risking failure. In contrast, children praised for intelligence—“You’re so smart!”—were more likely to avoid challenges, concerned about preserving their label.

This insight has strong implications for the workplace. Recognizing only outcomes can lead to a “fixed” mindset, where employees become risk-averse, fearing failure or falling short of expectations. On the other hand, recognizing the effort, strategies, and problem-solving that contribute to success fosters resilience, curiosity, and a willingness to engage deeply in work. When employees feel their persistence and thought processes are valued, they are more inclined to explore new solutions and approach challenges with an open mind.

Recognizing the Process: Why the “How” Matters

While celebrating outcomes, especially impressive ones, is natural, acknowledging the steps that led to those outcomes can send an even stronger message. Recognizing how employees achieve results rather than just what they achieve shows that the organization values thoughtful approaches and strategic thinking—not just the final product. This focus reinforces behaviors that contribute to long-term success, such as collaboration, adaptability, and resilience.

For example, instead of simply congratulating a team for completing a project, recognizing the specific problem-solving techniques or the collaborative spirit that led to success can have a lasting impact. This approach lets employees know that their organization appreciates not just what they accomplish but how they accomplish it. This understanding builds a culture that prizes skills, processes, and approaches, encouraging employees to further develop and refine these strengths for future challenges.

The Balance Between Recognizing Efforts and Outcomes

While it’s essential to recognize outcomes, acknowledging both the final result and the behaviors that contributed to it creates a more balanced and motivating approach. Recognizing specific behaviors shows employees that their thought processes, strategies, and resilience matter, fostering a work culture that values growth and innovation.

This approach helps leaders foster a mindset where employees feel empowered to take on challenges, knowing that their organization values the journey as much as the destination. Rather than focusing solely on the final outcome, leaders can create an environment where effective problem-solving, strategic thinking, and perseverance are celebrated, reinforcing a culture of ongoing learning and growth.

Insight: Don’t just recognize outcomes; highlight the effective strategies, thoughtful approaches, and problem-solving skills that led to success. By doing so, recognition becomes a powerful tool for building resilience, curiosity, and a commitment to growth, making the journey as valuable as the destination.