“Thank you for your hard work,” doesn’t feel very meaningful, does it?
It’s the equivalent of receiving a birthday card that only says, “Have a great day.”
It lacks effort and feels a bit forced. And that’s where some of us are going wrong when it comes to writing meaningful staff shout-outs.
But don’t fret! Read on to learn how easy it is to put together a shout-out that will make your colleagues smile and feel super valued.
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A workplace shout-out is a quick, informal way to recognise an employee for their hard work, no matter how big or small. They can be shared publicly, or privately.
Shout-outs are a key element of employee recognition, making people feel valued and appreciated for what they do, which in turn motivates them to stay engaged and perform well.
It’s simple – little moments of recognition, like a shout-out, make people feel valued and motivated to do their best.
The research into employee recognition is unmistakeable – employees who receive great recognition are 20 times more likely to be engaged as employees who receive poor recognition.
And those employees are 3.8 times more likely to feel connected to their culture. (Gallup, 2023).
Feel free to use this sample shout-out message for colleagues at your workplace.
I want to give a big shout-out to [employee's name] for [his/her/their] efforts in supporting [team/department] with [specific details of project/task].
Your [personal strengths/ talent] really pushed this project forward and is making a real difference to [impact].
Thank you! 
Our top tips for making your employee recognition shout-outs more meaningful by following best practice.
When you’re giving a shout-out, make sure to mention the specific things the person did.
Instead of just saying, “Great job on the project,” call out something that stood out, like, “Your attention to detail in catching that error before the deadline was a lifesaver!” It shows you noticed their exact effort, which feels more thoughtful.
Keep it real! People can tell when appreciation feels forced.
Use a tone that feels like you. Something like, “We couldn’t have done this without you – seriously, thank you for stepping up when we needed it most!” It makes the person feel seen and genuinely valued.
Help them understand why what they did mattered.
Acknowledge the difference their work made, like, “Because of your quick thinking, we were able to finish the project two days early, and the client was thrilled.” It’s all about connecting their actions to the bigger picture.
This is about recognising how their contributions didn’t just help the task at hand but also positively influenced the people around them.
For example, “Your positive attitude really motivated the whole team to push through that tough week – you set such a great example for all of us.”
It shows that their work goes beyond just the task and makes the shout-out feel more heartfelt.
Go beyond the task and highlight a unique skill or personal trait they brought to the table.
For example, recognise their ability to stay calm under pressure or their creative approach to problem-solving.
Not everyone loves being the centre of attention, so it’s important to know how each employee prefers to be appreciated. Some people thrive on public recognition, while others might feel more comfortable with a private note of thanks.
Tailoring your approach to each person’s preference makes the shout-out more meaningful. With Stribe, you can do both!
About the author
Starting out her early career as a journalist, Jade Madeley is an accomplished content writer with 8+ years’ experience across business, personal finance, SaaS, human resources and employee engagement. Working with Stribe, she crafts insightful content that brings complex HR topics to life and drives meaningful action.
