Is morale dipping across your team? Are you noticing a drop in productivity or employees feeling less engaged with their work?
Gamification might be just the refresh you're looking for. By adding game-like elements to everyday work, you can boost morale, foster friendly competition, and turn routine tasks into small wins that help employees feel more accomplished.
Let's look at a few ways you can introduce gamification into your workplace.
Leaderboards
Leaderboards are a simple but effective tool to encourage healthy competition—especially in roles where performance metrics are already tracked, like IT support or sales.
In IT support teams, for example, it's common to see a large screen in the office showcasing daily stats: how many tickets have been solved, how today compares to last week, and who's leading the board. It keeps the team motivated, engaged, and adds a dose of fun to the workday. You can even add prizes for monthly or quarterly leaders.
In sales environments, leaderboards come naturally. Whether it's ringing a bell after closing a deal or tracking revenue numbers on a dashboard, the competitive spirit can be a strong motivator. Just keep it balanced—different roles come with different opportunities, so you might want to segment leaderboards by region, seniority, or deal size to keep things fair.
Remote teams can get in on the action too. Instead of a screen on the wall, you can set up Slack channels or Microsoft Teams bots that post regular updates. A daily leaderboard in your team chat can provide the same spark of motivation, wherever your team is based.
Employee of the Month (or Quarter)
Employee of the Month isn't just for fast-food chains. When done right, it's a great way to highlight individual achievements and give recognition for great work.
For smaller teams, switching to Employee of the Quarter keeps things fresh without feeling repetitive. Pair it with a simple reward—like a dinner voucher or a day off—and you've got a low-effort, high-impact motivator.
Annual Employee Awards
If you're part of a larger company, consider leveling up your recognition with an annual awards ceremony. Think of it as your company's own Oscars, celebrating top performers and standout teams.
This works well in organizations with multiple locations or departments, where you can run awards like “Top Sales Team” or “Best Customer Experience Branch.” Rewards can scale based on budget—from trophies and gift cards to experiences like team trips or exclusive events.
Points-Based Projects
Not every company needs (or wants) a leaderboard. For more collaborative teams—especially those outside sales—a points-based system tied to projects can be a better fit.
For instance, during a product launch, you could award points for onboarding new customers, closing support tickets, or publishing marketing materials. Hit the team goal, and everyone shares the reward—whether that's a team bonus, a fun team outing, or a company-wide celebration.
This approach turns projects into engaging team events, fostering collaboration rather than direct competition.
Final thoughts
Gamification isn't one-size-fits-all. The best approach depends on your team, your culture, and your goals. Done well, it can make work more enjoyable, increase engagement, and help people feel appreciated. Done poorly, it can cause friction and stress—so keep it light-hearted, fair, and focused on positivity.
With WhatPulse Professional, you get both insights and engagement in one tool. See how your team works, reward great habits, and make every workday a little more fun.
Ready to give it a try? Start your free trial of WhatPulse Professional today.
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