"At work, people express and receive appreciation in different ways. If you try to express appreciation in ways that aren’t meaningful to your co-workers, they may not feel valued at all. This is because you and your co-workers are speaking different languages. In The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace, you will identify the five languages of appreciation in order to express genuine appreciation to co-workers and staff" - Amazon.com.
Five Appreciation Languages at Work
- Words of Affirmation. Using words to communicate a positive message to another person.
- One on One.
- In front of others (if they feel comfortable).
- Written email.
- Quality Time: Giving the person your focused attention.
- Eye contact, no distractions.
- Listen to feelings and thoughts.
- Acts of Service: Providing assistance.
- Ask before you help.
- Check your attitude.
- Do it their way.
- Complete what you start
- Or let to know in advance how much time you have and let them decide.
- Tangible Gifts: Giving physical items.
- Give gifts to those who appreciate them.
- Gifts must be something the person values.
- Can be time off
- The most common is food
- Physical Touch: Person-to-person contact.
- Handshakes.
- High fives.
- Fist bumps.
- Brief hugs (especially in emotional times).
Ideas for Application
Language 1. Words of Affirmation
- Acknowledge my effort on a project I am in / but not in the presence of my teammates.
- When appropriate, I'd like to be recognized in front of others for work well done.
- Praise me in private, not in front of anyone else.
- Occasionally tell me “thanks” – in person – for my contribution.
- Send me an email to let me know what I am doing well.
- Recognize when I have handled a difficult situation.
- Tell others (when I am not around) about the good job I am doing.
- Give me a specific compliment about some aspect of my character or personality.
- In my review, make a list of positives regarding how I am doing.
- Give our team a group compliment when we have done well.
- Let my colleagues know when I have achieved significant goals or completed important tasks.
- A handwritten note of appreciation is particularly meaningful to me.
- Other ___.
Language 2. Quality Time
- Go to coffee or lunch together to talk about work issues.
- Go to coffee or lunch together and not talk about work issues.
- Go to lunch together as a team of colleagues.
- Stop by in person to check in with me regarding how things are going.
- Call me occasionally to "check in" to see how I am doing.
- Get together for occasional after-hours team events.
- Take a walk together if feasible, rather than meet in the office.
- Take part in an out-of-the-office event/retreat for our team.
- Have a regular (e.g., weekly) “check-in” meeting to catch up.
- Other ___.
Language 3. Acts of Service
- Stay after hours to help me complete a project.
- Ask me what you could do to help me (and then follow through).
- Offer to do some routine tasks that will allow me to focus on higher priorities.
- Offer to do some task for me that I dislike doing.
- Stop by and work with me on a project I need to complete.
- Help me clean up / organize my office or desk.
- Review/edit a written document for me.
- Offer to be a backup for me when I’m on leave or out sick.
- Help me understand how to get the most out of my technology tools.
- Come in early to help me get something done.
- Other ___.
Language 4. Tangible Gifts
- Take me to lunch as a gesture of appreciation.
- Give a small gift card to my favorite place, which is ___.
- Bring my favorite coffee / hot beverage/snack / ___.
- Find a book or magazine related to my interests or area of expertise, such as ___.
- Bring in cake, cookies, or snacks to celebrate!
- Bring something from an interesting place you’ve been to.
- Give, as a token of appreciation:
- An Agency Challenge Coin
- A Time-Off award
- Agency lanyards, pens, or coffee mugs
- Commemorative pins/patches/posters
- Other ___.
Language 5. Physical Touch
- Handshakes.
- High fives.
- Fist bumps.
- Brief hugs (especially in emotional times).
- Be careful to avoid misunderstandings.