Recognition for Non-Competitive Teams: It's not about the Leaderboard

Building a culture of gratitude doesn't require competition. Every team is unique, and adjusting your recognition program accordingly is key to fostering a positive and inclusive environment. Around 15% of teams using HeyTaco don’t use any leaderboards—an admin can disable these for team members, though they will always have access to the data. Instead, these teams find joy in giving and receiving tacos with meaningful messages attached and celebrate the culture they are building.

1. Encourage Authentic and Meaningful Recognition

For non-competitive teams, authenticity in recognition is key. Encourage team members to attach specific, meaningful messages to their tacos. Rather than simply stating, "Great job," suggest adding context, such as, “Thank you for your insightful feedback on the project; it helped clarify our direction.” This deeper level of recognition fosters a sense of appreciation and builds stronger interpersonal connections.

2. Emphasize Team Goals Over Individual Achievements

Align recognition with collective goals rather than individual achievements. Celebrate milestones that the entire team contributes to, such as reaching project deadlines or demonstrating strong teamwork. Instead of using leaderboards to celebrate top givers and receivers, try a fun alternative: at weekly All-Company meetings, have someone read aloud a few taco messages that were unique, meaningful, or relevant to the company. This practice creates a shared moment where everyone can hear meaningful stories, learn what behaviors are recognized, and feel proud to be part of a team that celebrates people.

3. Create Rituals Around Recognition

Create rituals that bring the team together around recognition. In addition to celebrating taco messages at company meetings, consider having a "Taco Tuesday" where team members take time to recognize each other’s contributions. These rituals build a culture where recognition is a regular, anticipated part of the workweek rather than a sporadic event.

4. Celebrate Core Values

Use HeyTaco to highlight and reinforce core values by giving tacos for behaviors that embody those values. This not only keeps the values front and center but also ensures recognition is aligned with the team's ethos, fostering a more cohesive work environment.

Leveraging HeyTaco for non-competitive teams involves focusing on authenticity, collective achievement, and inclusivity. By encouraging meaningful recognition, celebrating team goals, and creating shared rituals, you build a culture where everyone feels valued and connected. Remember, it’s the meaningful stories and shared moments of recognition that weave the threads of your team’s culture, creating bonds that last.