When Recognition Goes Wrong: Why Personal Preferences Matter More Than You Think

Recognition at work should feel amazing. But for a surprising number of employees, it feels...awkward, uncomfortable, or downright painful.
One major reason? A mismatch between how they're recognized and what they actually want.

At Knowwn, we believe every act of recognition should be thoughtful, personal, and impactful.

In this article, we'll dive into why personal preferences matter so much, some surprising stats about recognition gone wrong, and how tools like the Knowwn Care Profile help you avoid recognition misfires altogether.

The Dark Side of Public Recognition

While some employees thrive on the spotlight, others would rather do anything else than stand center stage.

A recent survey by Gallup found that nearly 30% of employees reported feeling uncomfortable with public praise — citing embarrassment, anxiety, or even resentment when recognition didn't match their personal style.

In fact, poorly delivered recognition can backfire:

• 31% of employees said receiving the wrong kind of recognition made them feel undervalued rather than appreciated.
• 43% admitted they'd prefer no recognition at all over being recognized in a way that made them uncomfortable.

Translation: Recognition isn't "one size fits all" — and forcing a "yay team!" moment on a private, introverted employee can do more harm than good.

Why Personalization in Recognition Matters

Recognition is meant to lift people up — but only if it honors who they truly are. When companies ignore personal preferences, they risk:

• Damaging trust: Employees may feel like their individuality isn't respected.
• Increasing turnover: Feeling unseen is a leading reason employees disengage — and eventually leave.
• Wasting time and money: Gifts, celebrations, and programs flop if they don’t resonate with recipients.

On the flip side, personalized recognition — designed around what employees actually appreciate — delivers massive benefits:

• 4x more likely to boost engagement and morale (according to a report from SHRM).
• 3x more likely to improve retention rates.
• 2.7x more likely to positively impact employee wellbeing.

Bottom line? If you’re going to recognize someone, know what matters to them first.

Solving the problem of impersonal recognition

At Knowwn, we realized that the biggest problem with traditional recognition programs is simple: senders guess.
They guess what gift someone wants. They guess whether they’d like a big announcement. They guess whether a toast with champagne is a good idea.

We think you should never have to guess again.

With the Knowwn Care Profile, every employee builds a personal profile that captures critical details, including:

• Public Recognition Preferences: Whether they love the spotlight, prefer a private thank-you, or something in between.
• Gift Wishlists: What items or experiences they'd genuinely be thrilled to receive.
• Lifestyle Insights: Dietary restrictions, whether they drink alcohol, hobbies, and more.

When you send recognition through Knowwn, you can view their Care Profile first — meaning you tailor your appreciation to match their actual wants and needs.

No more awkward missteps. No more guessing. Just better recognition, every time.

Don’t Risk the Wrong Kind of Recognition

In today's competitive talent market, knowing your people is a competitive advantage.
Recognition is powerful — but only if it's personal.

Ready to create recognition experiences your employees will actually love (and remember for the right reasons)?
👉 Learn more about Knowwn and the Care Profile today.

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