The Psychology of Workplace Recognition
What Works, What Doesn't, and Why
About this Webinar
Recognition is a fundamental driver of motivation, engagement, and performance in the workplace—but how do we know what really works? This webinar dives deep into the psychology behind workplace recognition, exploring why some approaches succeed while others fall flat.
Featuring an engaging discussion with leading researchers in organizational behavior and workplace incentives, it offers fresh insights into what truly drives effective recognition.
What You'll Learn
- The psychological foundations of recognition and how peer-to-peer (P2P) recognition enhances engagement
- The ongoing debate on rewards—do they complement or diminish recognition? (Hint: The evidence is clearer than you think!)
- The effectiveness of leaderboards in fostering motivation and their role in recognition programs
Who Should Watch
Backed by research and real-world data (including insights from HeyTaco), this session equips People & Culture leaders, HR professionals, and team managers with the tools to design more effective recognition strategies.
Agenda
- The Psychology of Recognition – Understanding what drives meaningful recognition (and the role of P2P).
- Rethinking Rewards & Recognition – Do rewards crowd out intrinsic motivation, or can they work together?
- Leaderboards: Helpful or Harmful? – The latest research on competition, motivation, and engagement.
- Live Audience Q&A – Get your burning questions answered by our expert panel.
Speakers
Dr. Adam Presslee 
Associate Professor, University of Waterloo
Dr. Adam Presslee is an Associate Professor and the J. Page R. Wadsworth Junior Chair in Accounting and Finance at the School of Accounting and Finance, University of Waterloo. He is the Co-Director of CPA Ontario's Centre for Sustainability Reporting and Performance Management [CSPM].
Dr. Alex Vandenberg
Assistant Professor, Gies College of Business, University of Illinois
Dr. Alex Vandenberg is an Assistant Professor of Accountancy at the Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. His research focuses on managerial accounting, with an emphasis on performance measurement, incentives, and how accounting information influences decision-making within organizations.
Dr. Ewelina Forker
Assistant Professor, Wisconsin School of Business
Ewelina Forker is an Assistant Professor of Accounting at the Wisconsin School of Business at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her research focuses on topics in financial accounting, with particular interest in corporate disclosure, capital markets, and the role of accounting information in investor decision-making.