Employee Appreciation Day is always the last Friday in March. If you missed it, you’re not alone. Lack of recognition and appreciation plagues modern workforces, and it can have tremendous downstream implications, including turnover, burnout, absenteeism, and decreased productivity. Acknowledging and supporting team members in meaningful ways goes beyond a yearly office party or a coffee-shop gift card. One of the primary ways leaders can show their employees they care is by prioritizing their professional development. Investing in your employees’ skills and helping them achieve their goals through upskilling and reskilling helps the organization by making individual contributors more effective in their roles and letting employees know the organization is committed to their success. Multiple studies show that employee development is a main driver of retention, so if your organization is serious about employee recognition and appreciation, it might be time to rethink how you support your employees’ growth.