The power of unexpected employee recognition

Recognition isn’t just about rewards or formal evaluations—it’s about making people feel valued when they least expect it. 

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen gave an acceptance speech that resonated far beyond the football field. As he received the NFL MVP award, he thanked the usual names—coaches, teammates, staff—but then, he did something unexpected. He recognized “Slick” Rick Morrow, a 15-year employee in the team’s mailroom. 

It wasn’t planned, scripted, or tied to a performance review—it was genuine appreciation. And it mattered. Imagine what it meant to Rick. Imagine what it meant to every other employee who sees someone like them being recognized at the highest level.

Every leader has the same opportunity. When you recognize people for small moments, hidden contributions, and efforts that often go unnoticed, you create a culture where people feel seen, valued, and inspired to give their best.

Making recognition simple with Lebra: Capture and share recognition effortlessly

As a leader, I struggled with knowing when and how to recognize people. I tried Employee of the Month, Quarter, and Year, but they felt generic and forgettable. We’d throw pizza parties, hand out koozies, folding chairs, and pizza cutters—but none of it made people feel truly valued. I also used employee engagement platforms with points and rewards, but assigning points and picking prizes felt more like checking a box than real leadership. It was a transaction, not connection.

Just like Slick Rick, employees don’t need another trinket—they need to feel seen, valued, and appreciated by their leaders. That’s why we built the Lebra Leadership—so leaders can capture and share meaningful recognition in the moment and build real connections.

The Lebra app allows leaders to talk directly into their phone to capture a moment of recognition. The recognition is then published so other leaders can see and join in celebrating the employee—making sure no great work goes unnoticed.

Lebra also helps draft a message using the Triple Win Concept:

• The recognized employee receives the message, knowing their work is truly valued.

• The person who originally submitted the recognition is copied, reinforcing their role in fostering appreciation.

• The leader sending the recognition can personalize the message and strengthen the connection—ensuring recognition is timely, meaningful, and effortless.

Why is this different? Because it’s about real leadership, not another engagement tool. It removes the extra steps and barriers that make recognition feel like a task rather than an authentic, everyday leadership habit. With Lebra, leaders no longer have to guess who to recognize or when—they can see meaningful recognition happening in real-time and take action effortlessly.