What Is a Culture of Appreciation?
A culture of appreciation is a workplace where gratitude isn't reserved for special occasions—it's part of the everyday experience.
It means people feel genuinely seen, valued, and recognized for the effort, character, and collaboration they bring to the team.
In a culture of appreciation, saying "thank you" isn't just polite—it's strategic.
Why It Matters
In teams that practice appreciation regularly:
- Trust grows
- Turnover decreases
- Engagement skyrockets
- People help each other more often
Research shows that employees who feel appreciated are more productive, more loyal, and more likely to go the extra mile.
Want better results? Start by saying thank you more often.
What It Looks Like in Practice
Appreciation doesn't need to be fancy—it just needs to be frequent, specific, and sincere.
Examples:
- "Thanks for taking the time to explain that. You made my day easier."
- "Your good energy in the standup helped set the tone for everyone."
- "Noticed you stayed late to help with the launch—thank you for the hustle."
When moments like this happen often, they add up to a culture people want to be part of.
How HeyTaco Helps Build a Culture of Appreciation
HeyTaco gives teams the tools to make appreciation fun, social, and visible.
- Give tacos with personal messages
- Tag values to reinforce the behaviors that matter
- Use leaderboards, stickers, and Taco TV to make appreciation feel like a celebration
- Make gratitude a daily ritual, not an HR initiative
The best cultures are built one “thank you” at a time.
Try This
Want to start building a culture of appreciation?
- Set a taco goal (e.g., give 3 tacos a week)
- Celebrate someone for how they did the work—not just what they did
- Ask in meetings: “Who deserves a taco this week?”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a culture of appreciation at work?
I's a workplace environment where people regularly express gratitude and recognition for each other's contributions, creating a stronger sense of connection, trust, and motivation.
How do you build a culture of appreciation?
Make recognition a habit. Encourage peer-to-peer praise, celebrate small wins, and create rituals around gratitude. Tools like HeyTaco make this easy.
Why is appreciation important in company culture?
Appreciation makes people feel valued. When people feel valued, they're more engaged, collaborative, and committed to the team's success.
