Forbes: How to Best Communicate Your Appreciation in the Workplace

Whether we’re at home or work, we need to feel that someone cares about and appreciates us. We want to know that we bring value to others and to the work we do and that someone is paying attention to that value. When it comes to the work environment, recognition is critical. When employees feel appreciated, staff morale improves and employee engagement increases, resulting in a positive workplace. But what’s the most appropriate way to express your appreciation? What works for one person may not work for another, so it is essential to know your staff and what each person values. According to this article, Gary Chapman, author of the classic book, The 5 Love Languages, teamed up with Dr. Paul White to write The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace, which aimed to improve workplace relationships by helping people learn about co-workers’ language of appreciation. The article breaks down five languages of workplace appreciation, briefly describes how to communicate using them effectively, and provides simple actions you can take to support each style, along with things to avoid.