Relational vs financial currency: the difference and synergy between rewards and recognition 

By Sarah McVanel, Chief Recognition Officer, Greatness Magnified 

Not all world currencies have the same trading power. So too, with workplace currencies. 

Some workplace currencies tend to be more transactional. Others lean toward relational. Which one trades better in the open (job) market? 

Relational equity 

The currency that never deflates in value is relational. You have full access to it, even if cash flow declines. It works in all industries—including non-profits and small organizations. It is valued from the new intern to the CEO. 

You might pay in the top 25% of your industry. You might have a beefy benefits package, offer hiring incentives, and give “jazz hands” level performance bonuses. Pretty awesome, right? 

The question is this: Do you want people’s loyalty to be at the financial transaction level? Sure, every employee engages in an economic partnership with their employer; however, money doesn’t always equal the kind of robust heart-mind engagement you need for the business to thrive. 

Warning: Believing you’ve handled a turnover problem by paying off the problem might disguise a slow but steadily growing flight risk. (Of course, the same is true if we write compensation off and assume passion for the work, social good, and other soft reasons for belonging will always keep people.) 

We’re talking about the need for reward AND recognition. 

Recognition’s hidden economic value 

Relational currency is built through recognition. Regardless of industry, tenure, seniority, and title, everyone must know they matter to someone else and that they—not just their output—would matter if they didn’t show up the next day. Regular simple small appreciation “deposits” give you compound relational “interest.” 

We need to live recognition daily. We need it to be embedded into “how we do things around here” before an issue arises (a turnover crisis, massive transformational initiative, or interpersonal conflict). Because guess what? If we recognize people because we have to, it can lead to relational currency withdrawals. That’s right! It feels like a bait and switch if we acknowledge someone for transactional gain (such as to increase productivity, reduce resistance to change, or assuage a conflict). 

Here are ways to build relational currency: 

• Ditch the “regards” on an email sign-off and opt for a “compliment thank you” (e.g., “thank you for your continued perseverance on this project”) 

• Before a meeting starts, build in a one-minute check-in about how their week is going and give 100% attention 

• Write a thank you card acknowledging effort and impact, not just results 

• Send someone on a course, give them a book, or share another growth resource to show you believe in them 

Drip, drip, drip those relational deposits. Don’t “save for a rainy day.” Cultivate a shared, satisfying present and future every day through recognition. 

Supply…not supply and demand 

Recognition doesn’t operate according to “supply and demand.” It’s all about supply. If goodwill, gratitude, and appreciation flow freely, you—and those around you—are naturally better equipped to weather future demands. Don’t wait for a demand, pressure, struggle, or strain to amp up appreciation—redouble recognition efforts when you see demands that have outstripped relational supply. Then, recommit to rebuilding the regular practice of appreciation to ensure you don’t get into relational arrears in the future. 

If you don’t believe me, answer this: Have you ever heard of someone leaving a job because they were “too appreciated”? Thought not.  

And if you aren’t being appreciated, pay it forward to someone else; create a ripple effect by modelling the personal or professional context you want to be a part of. It costs nothing to be the one making the deposits. 

If you had access to the easiest, fastest, simplest, and most cost-effective way to engage, unite, and retain your team, wouldn’t you jump at the chance? Discover the Exponential Power of Recognition with Sarah McVanel at EVOLVE 2025 and unlock the strategy that transforms workplace culture. 

Sign up now for early access rates and CPD hours—and spark real change in your organization. 

Source: Relational vs Financial Currency: The Difference and Synergy Between Rewards AND Recognition 

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