Concept - in - action
Appreciation in the workplace
It’s easy to think we are good at giving appreciation to others until teammates leave the business, individuals aren’t performing like they used to or we just don’t feel connected with each other like we used to.
Appreciation is easier said then done.
Learning new concepts, like The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace (AKA The 5 Love Languages) by Dr. Gary Chapman, is empowering…and a little daunting to put into action. Making it simple and actionable for everyday can bring the learnings to life. I am always looking for ways to put concepts into action easily and with impact.
Concept in brief: Dr. Gary Chapman’s 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace / 5 Love Languages concept is based on that we all have a ‘love tank’ that gets filled up from the 5 different appreciation/love languages. 1-2 are most impactful but we all need all 5. We all like to give and receive love/appreciation in 1-2 preferred ways (=our own preference). This is true personally and at work.
The 5 Languages:
Words of Affirmation = saying thank you, giving a compliment, etc.
Quality Time = being present in a conversation, doing an activity together, etc.
Acts of Service = helping someone in their day by doing a task, etc.
Movement or Physical Touch = high five, hug, dancing, power moves together, etc.
Tangible Gifts = giving a gift with thought behind it.
At work, this is ‘appreciation’. AKA The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace. We all want to feel appreciated for what we do AND we want others to feel that we appreciate them.
How problems arise
We tend to give love/appreciation in the way in which we want to receive it...not necessarily the way others want to receive it.
Ooooh mismatch...
At work, we fall into rhythms and have our regular go-to ways of showing appreciation to those we work with. This can become one of those small everyday ways that lead to people feeling unappreciated and not seen at work.
Working smarter
What I like about this framework is it’s something that can be implemented without a detailed plan, tracker, big budget or specialized skills. It can be done with awareness and testing truly varied ways regularly.
It is a concept that can be incorporated into existing rhythms by starting with awareness and identifying our own preferred language then today, this week, this month, etc. adding more variety into how we show appreciation to others.
Just think - starting today in small ways and repeating over the next year, how agile and atuned to others you could be and how connected, supported and appreciated teammates will feel :)
How to know
someone’s language
Look to how they show appreciation to others.
Ask them for an idea for showing appreciation to others.
Share with your team/ team manager
Share this with your team or managers to introduce the concept with action. Improve connection, belonging and appreciation throughout the team, day over day, week over week with the concept and these practical ideas for putting into action.
“When we give cheerfully
and accept gratefully,
everyone is blessed.”
- Maya Angelou