About November’s Wellbeing Theme: Recognition
Here’s Your Admin Strategy Guide for November 2025
Traditional Definition of Recognition: The acknowledgment of something’s existence, validity, or worth.
How We’re Thinking About It: Naming what matters; affirming yourself and others to strengthen confidence and connection.
Why Recognition Matters at Work
Too often in the workplace, effort goes unseen. Employees juggle competing demands, meet deadlines, and support colleagues, but without acknowledgment, motivation can dwindle and make room for burnout. When recognition is missing, people may feel invisible, questioning whether their work or presence makes an impact.
Consistent recognition builds belonging, trust, and morale. It signals that employees’ contributions, big and small, are valued and meaningful. Recognition also fuels engagement, creating a culture where people want to give their best because they know their effort matters.
November naturally lends itself to recognition. With the season of gratitude and year-end reflection approaching, it’s an ideal moment to pause, acknowledge progress, and celebrate the people and practices that shape a strong workplace.
Bringing the Theme to Life
🙌 Spotlight Everyday Wins
Encourage teams to share one “shout-out” at the start of meetings, highlighting a colleague’s effort or contribution.🎤 Celebrate Voices
Provide a platform for employees to share their own proud moments from the year, such as a “wins wall” (digital or physical) where accomplishments are posted.💌 Make It Personal
Promote handwritten notes or personal emails from leaders recognizing employees’ contributions. Authentic recognition leaves a lasting impact.🌟 Build Recognition into Systems
Consider implementing structured recognition programs (like peer-to-peer nominations) so acknowledgment isn’t left to chance but becomes a cultural norm.
This Month in Wellbeing
👥 Community Workshops
See & Be Seen | Live on Thursday, November 6th, 12pm ET
We all want to feel seen. In this conversation, we’ll reflect on what real recognition looks like and how it changes the way we relate to one another. Together, we’ll explore how being acknowledged strengthens trust and motivation; not because it’s polite, but because feeling like you belong is a basic human need.Body of Work | Live on Thursday, November 13th, 12pm ET
It’s easy to forget our body’s doing its best for us every day. This session will help you slow down and listen: to aches, to ease, to the quiet stories and signals you’ve been too busy to hear. Through slow, intentional movement, you’ll reconnect with the body that carries you through every kind of experience.
Note: This session includes simple, desk-friendly movements perfect for joining right from your workspace.See the Good | Live on Thursday, November 20th, 12pm ET
It’s easy to rush from one thing to the next and forget what’s already working or going well. This mindfulness practice will help you pause, give yourself credit, and retrain your focus toward seeing what’s going right. Think of it as a quick check-in for the part of you that keeps skipping over the good stuff.
🏆Community Challenge
The Recognition Challenge
When was the last time you recognized your own effort? Or called out something great in someone else?Every time you slow down to notice and name a win, contribution, or effort, however small, you’re rewiring your brain to seek out what energizes you, brings you joy, and makes you feel more connected to those around you.
Each day this month, we’ll share a short challenge activity to help you nurture the small wins and meaningful contributions that often go overlooked. Join us this month to discover how a consistent practice of recognition can change the way you feel each day for the better.
🧰 New Resources
Most People Don’t Know They’re Doing a Good Job
A lot of us are quietly doing our best, wondering if it’s enough. We assume people know they’re appreciated, but research says they don’t. Here’s how to show it in ways that actually resonate.You Deserve the Compliment: When Receiving Praise Feels Uncomfortable
Getting a compliment can feel both wonderful and complicated. It can trigger self-doubt, overthinking, or even the urge to hide. We explore why this happens and how to take positive feedback with more calm, confidence, and care—not panic.Train Your Brain to See What’s Working, Not Just What’s Wrong
It’s human nature to spot the problems first. This practice helps you train your attention toward what’s helping, not just what’s hard, and build momentum from there.Shedding Light on the Darker Months of the Year
The darker months can mess with our mood, energy, and focus. Here’s how to bring a little more light, literal and emotional, back into your day.
What Else is Happening This Month?
November observances provide meaningful opportunities to connect recognition with wellbeing and culture:
🌍 Election Day (Nov. 4): Recognize civic participation and provide flexibility for employees to vote or volunteer.
🧠 International Stress Awareness Day (Nov. 5): Acknowledge the pressures of year-end and share stress-reduction tools or resources.
🎖️ Veterans Day (Nov. 11): Honor veterans and military families within your workplace; consider spotlighting employee stories or offering community support.
💌 World Kindness Day (Nov. 13): Promote simple acts of kindness across the workplace—recognition is kindness in action.
🦃 Thanksgiving (Nov. 27): Encourage gratitude practices within teams; use the holiday as a moment to reflect on collective accomplishments.
🏳️⚧️ Transgender Awareness Week (Nov. 13–19): Recognize the resilience of trans communities and reinforce inclusion and allyship in workplace culture.
👨👩👧 National Family Caregivers Month: Highlight the invisible labor of caregiving; share resources and benefits that support caregivers in your workforce.
🪶 Native American Heritage Month: Recognize and celebrate the history, cultures, and contributions of Native peoples.
