
Episode #13
New HBR Research: Employee Recognition Drives Business Performance
In this episode of A-Listed, David Bator and Emma Harvie break down new research from Harvard Business Review Analytic Services on the role of employee recognition in driving business outcomes. The research surveyed more than 500 business leaders and found a major gap: while two-thirds say reward and recognition programs are very important for influencing business performance, only one-third say their program is very effective. That gap is the focus of this conversation. David and Emma explore why recognition is not just a workplace perk or a feel-good program. When recognition is frequent, meaningful, specific, and connected to business priorities, it becomes a performance system that can reinforce the behaviors organizations need most, including collaboration, productivity, innovation, adaptability, customer focus, and AI adoption.

