Offering Recognition is Practicing Respect in the Workplace
Otto Tausk, conductor and artistic director of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, raised his baton—and then paused.
I was at the Orpheum Theatre in Vancouver a couple of weekends ago, along with a packed house, waiting to experience what’s arguably the most famous Symphony in the world: Beethoven’s Ninth. But before the first note played, Tausk turned to the audience and said, “Before we begin, I want to recognize someone very important.”
It wasn’t a soloist.
It wasn’t a musician on stage.
It was the orchestra’s librarian.
For 34 years, she had worked quietly behind the scenes—making sure every piece of sheet music was ready, prepared, marked, and delivered to the musicians on time. Every time.
She was retiring.
And Otto Tausk made sure her contribution would not go unnoticed.
He paused the entire Symphony to acknowledge her work publicly—before 2,688 people.
He gave her a standing ovation. So did the orchestra. And then, so did the entire audience.
It was a moment I’ll never forget.
Because it wasn’t just about music.
It was about leadership.
It was about how the most powerful recognition often shines on those the world doesn’t see.
In every organization, some people work quietly in the background.
They don’t seek applause.
They’re not in the spotlight.
But without them, nothing works.
Too often, their efforts go unrecognized—not out of malice, but because their reliability becomes routine. Their presence is invisible.
But here’s the truth: When leaders take the time to see these people truly, it changes everything.
Recognition isn’t just a nice gesture; it’s a valuable investment.
It tells your people: “I see you. I appreciate you. Your work matters.”
And that kind of message doesn’t just land in someone’s ears.
It lands in their heart.
When leaders regularly recognize their team members—especially those whose roles often get overlooked—it sends a powerful signal to the entire organization.
It builds trust. It boosts morale. It creates a culture where people feel seen and valued.
What happens when people feel valued?
They bring more of themselves to work. They stay longer. They go further. They lift others around them.
Recognition fuels engagement.
Engagement fuels excellence.
It’s a cycle every high-performing workplace understands and invests in.
But it starts with the leader.
How To Offer Authentic Recognition
The most powerful recognition isn’t expensive or elaborate.
It’s timely. It’s specific. It’s authentic.
It sounds like:
“Thank you for staying late last week to solve that client issue. I know you went above and beyond.”
“I noticed how carefully you prepared that presentation. The clarity really helped the team get aligned.”
“You may not be on the front line, but without your planning, none of this would run smoothly. Thank you.”
Small words. Big impact.
It’s not about grand gestures.
It’s about intentional leadership.
A Callout to Anyone Who Leads
So here’s a call to action for every leader reading this:
Look beyond the obvious. Who are the people making your team shine—but aren’t always in the spotlight?
Recognize them publicly. A moment of acknowledgment in a meeting, a shoutout in front of their peers, a message that says: “You matter.”
Make it part of your culture. Build a team where appreciation is not a surprise. Instead, people expect it. People share it. Recognizing the value of others is the norm.
You don’t have to pause a symphony to make someone feel seen. But what if you did?
What if you made a habit of stopping the “performance“ to lift someone who helps it all happen?
That night at the Vancouver Symphony was more than a beautiful musical experience.
It was a masterclass in leadership.
Otto Tausk was likely thrilled to be leading his incredible orchestra in delivering the incredible and awe-inspiring Symphony.
He likely wanted to get straight into the first movement.
He could have carried on.
But he chose to pause the show, and in doing so, he gave the orchestra and the audience—a powerful reminder:
Behind every outstanding performance is a team of people whose efforts deserve recognition.
Beethoven’s 9th Symphony is known and widely regarded as a message of universal brotherhood, unity, and hope—a celebration of humanity. Before the first note was played that night, Beethoven’s message was delivered with fortissimo!
Don’t Wait Till People Retire to Let Them Know How Much You Appreciate Them
Leaders: let’s not wait for retirement parties or farewells to recognize your people.
Do it today.
Do it often.
Do it with heart.
Because when people feel valued, the whole organization plays a little more in tune.
