The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace
Transcription:
There’s a great quote by Paul White and Gary Chapman, and they say that the number one factor in job satisfaction is not pay, but whether or not we feel appreciated and valued for the work that we do. Appreciation isn’t as simple as throwing a pizza party or sending an email saying, “great job team. You did such a great job.” It, it is very personal.
You’re probably familiar with the love languages and the languages of appreciation have been adopted for the workplace, and it really focuses on how do you like to receive appreciation and how does that land and resonate with you?
So if we can know and pay attention to what language of appreciation our colleagues or peers prefer, then we can really celebrate them in a way that deeply resonates. Finding out what that is becomes a really important part of job satisfaction and feeling valued.
Quality Time: This is important to people who value spending undistracted time with others. For these coworkers, listening is key. Put some time on your calendar for a check-in to hear their latest ideas, or make it a point to not multitask while they’re communicating with you.
Appropriate Physical Touch: For folks who respond well to physical contact, a firm handshake or high-five for a job well done might be just what they need. Disclaimer: HR approved touches only!
Words of Affirmation: For people who appreciate verbal (or written) expressions of encouragement, positive reinforcement is the key. Make sure to be specific in you recognition of them. If they nailed a presentation or assignment, send a quick email letting them know you appreciate the work they put in.
Gifts: It doesn’t have to be extravagant. A gift card for coffee or a surprise donut stash in the break room could go a long way. Do it for those team members who appreciate physical tokens of appreciation.
Acts of Service: For those team members who feel appreciated through actions and deeds, a simple, “I know you’re swamped, so I took care of this for you,” shows you support them and care. This could be as big as taking a project off their plate or as small as noticing and replacing an office supply they were running low on.