Appreciation in everyday work life is not a soft-skill luxury but a measurable health factor. Occupational research considers a lack of recognition a stress factor (Siegrist's effort-reward imbalance model) – regular positive feedback counteracts it. The Compliment Challenge turns appreciation into a deliberate practice for seven days.
What does a week change that no seminar can explain?
The problem with appreciation in everyday life isn't a lack of willingness, it's a lack of habit. Anyone who consciously works to give someone an honest, specific compliment every day – not "great job," but "your summary today really helped me because..." – quickly notices: others open up, conversations become more personal, the atmosphere shifts. Seven days are enough to feel it.
Why should the challenge leave no one out?
The power of the challenge lies in including everyone – the colleague in the next office, the technician in the basement, the person at the front desk. Anyone used to praising only within their own department makes a discovery: people you barely know respond to recognition at least as gratefully as close colleagues. That reshapes the sense of community within the company for good. A good complement is the best practice Gratitude Board: Making Appreciation Visible.
How do you put the measure in place?
- 1Schedule the action week and set a light framework: 1 honest compliment per day, for 1 week
- 2Sharpen the principle: honest and specific rather than empty phrases ("Thank you for stepping in yesterday" instead of "well done")
- 3Secure voluntariness: taking part is an offer, nobody is obliged to be nice
- 4Optionally prepare a small prompt card with examples to make getting started easier
- 5Announce the challenge and explain the "honest instead of empty phrase" principle
- 6Lead by example and visibly give a specific compliment on the first day
- 7Encourage passing it on: whoever receives one gives one on
- 8Every day, consciously approach one person with genuine appreciation
- 9Aim for breadth: also think of colleagues who otherwise get little visibility
- 10Send a short reminder (midday ping) so it does not get lost in everyday work
- 11Reflect briefly: how did the atmosphere feel?
- 12Let people share experiences voluntarily – without putting anyone on the spot
- 13Consider what stays: e.g. a weekly appreciation moment in the team meeting
What do you need for it?
- Effort
- under 30 min
- Cost
- Free
- Setup
- 5 min
- ✓ Free
- ✓ Immediately actionable
- ✓ Positive culture
Tax and health insurance: what is possible
Employer health benefits can be tax-free under § 3 no. 34 of the German Income Tax Act (EStG) up to €600 per employee per year — if they are provided in addition to the salary already owed and are either certified (§ 20 SGB V) or implemented within the company's health promotion process. Gym memberships and corporate fitness are not covered. For ZPP-certified courses (e.g. from Upfit), German statutory health insurers can reimburse all or part of the course fee to their insured members — then only the amount exceeding that reimbursement is tax-free. Projects within the company can be funded under § 20b SGB V, with no entitlement. Only your tax adviser can confirm the tax exemption.
How it works in EasyWHP
This Best Practice in EasyWHP: adopt it, adapt it, measure the effect
Once adopted, the measure is ready in EasyWHP — with instructions, an invitation and surveys before and after. You adapt what fits your company and see at the end what it achieved.
Screenshots with demo data, no real people.
Start this measure now
Register for free — and the measure is ready to go in your cockpit: invitation, feedback survey and appointment are already set up. First cycle, first numbers for the boss.
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Contributes to
Measure the impact with
Action field
Stress & Mental Health →A fitting occasion
- Recognition Culture Campaign: "Thank You Season"
Related Best Practices
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