Recognition vs. Appreciation
At Footers, we have our “Jimmy Buck” program that pays tribute to my father, founder of Footers Catering. Any team member can nominate a colleague to receive a Jimmy Buck, the only two rules are that it must be for something specific and tied to one of our core values. Recipients are celebrated in front of their peers, and they can use their Bucks to purchase Footers gear.
Last week, I wanted to give someone a Jimmy Buck. But as I thought back over the past month, I couldn’t come up with a specific action that felt worthy. Still, I had this strong sense that I valued this person and wanted them to know it. After some frustration, I gave up and moved on with my day.
Later it hit me: what I was missing wasn’t recognition, it was appreciation.
April is connecting with Chef Ronney and Chef Bam, two 20-year veterans of Footers, to show her appreciation for their work on an event.
These words often get used interchangeably, but they aren’t the same. Recognition is about what someone does - their performance, achievements, or actions. Appreciation is about who someone is - their inherent value, their character, the way they show up. Both matter. Both should be practiced often. But in that moment, what my team member needed wasn’t recognition for a specific behavior, it was appreciation for the person they are.
One of our convictions at MIBE is: “Lead: value people for more than the job they do.” That’s what appreciation looks like. When we focus only on recognition, we risk building a culture where people feel celebrated only when they perform. But when we layer in appreciation, we create a culture of belonging, resilience, and trust — where people know they matter even on the days when things go wrong.
The good news is that appreciation doesn’t cost money. It just takes intention. A thoughtful question (and truly listening to the answer). A handwritten note. A quick text. Or simply telling someone directly what you value about them. These small gestures are anything but small in the impact they create.
This week, I’m challenging myself (and all of you) to pause and think about who in your life could use a little more appreciation. Recognition celebrates performance, but appreciation affirms worth. And when we give both generously, we build stronger people, stronger teams, and stronger cultures.
Keep MIBE-ing!
Anthony Lambatos
Founder, MIBE Hospitality Culture Training
Owner, Footers Catering
P.S. Show up with intention. Join us at our MIBE Summit in January.
