Feeling unappreciated at work? Here's what you can do

Feeling appreciated is one of the biggest contributors to job satisfaction. Yet many people feel their hard work goes unnoticed, leaving them demotivated and wondering whether it's time to move on.

Could this be you? Do you feel taken for granted? Do you only seem to receive recognition when something doesn't go so well, rather than for all the outstanding work you do?

"The deepest craving of human nature is the need to be appreciated."

– William James

I often suggest to clients that they have three options: accept the situation as it is, find another job or choose to deal with and react to the situation in a different, more positive way.

Begin by considering why you may be feeling unappreciated at work:

Are you not doing a good job?

• Does your manager realise what work you're doing and what it actually involves?
• Is your manager overworked and overwhelmed?
• Could it simply be that your manager doesn't naturally express appreciation or know how to motivate their team?

The first reason is probably the least likely, as you would usually receive feedback if your work wasn't meeting expectations. There's not a great deal you can do about the last two reasons, but you can do something about the second.

Say what's on your mind

Your manager may genuinely believe that giving you more responsibility is a sign of trust and appreciation.

A constructive conversation can go a long way towards clearing up misunderstandings. It may simply be a case of discussing how you work best, how long certain tasks take to complete or making sure your contributions are visible.

Sometimes people aren't aware of the impact their communication has until someone raises it.

Do others feel the same?

Without casting blame on anyone or making matters worse, discreetly ask trusted colleagues whether they've had a similar experience.

You may discover you're not alone and that showing appreciation simply isn't one of your manager's strengths.

Be careful not to let the conversation turn into a complaint session. Instead, use it to understand whether it's an individual experience or something that affects the wider team.

Appreciate the work others are doing

Just because no one seems to acknowledge the good work you're doing doesn't mean you have to follow suit.

It's easy to become absorbed in our own workload, but taking the time to recognise the efforts of others can make a real difference. Compliment your teammates, thank people for their support, and let colleagues know when they've done a great job.

Appreciation has a habit of spreading, and creating a positive culture often starts with small actions.

Build stronger relationships

You may not welcome the idea of spending time with work colleagues outside of work, and I'm certainly not suggesting you become best friends, but taking the opportunity to build stronger working relationships can help break down barriers.

Whether that's chatting over a coffee, catching up during a team lunch or simply taking time to get to know colleagues better, those conversations can make it easier to raise difficult topics and build mutual understanding.

Strong professional relationships are often built through small, consistent interactions rather than one big conversation.

Remember, you have a choice

While you can't always control how appreciation is expressed, you can influence how you respond.

You can accept the situation, look for opportunities to improve communication and relationships or decide that it's time to find an environment where your contribution is recognised more consistently.

Feeling valued at work matters. If you're not getting the appreciation you need, don't assume you have to simply put up with it. Sometimes a conversation can make all the difference. Other times, the right decision is finding a workplace where your efforts are recognised and appreciated.