Many people are feeling strained and under-valued at work. Appreciation can create a better workplace for employees, and help companies to improve motivation and retention, without a huge cash outlay. Dr. Gary Chapman’s book, The 5 Love Languages, had positively impacted millions worldwide with their love relationships and marriages. This book, co-authored with Dr Paul White, addresses the 5 languages of appreciation in the workplace, i.e. how to how to effectively communicate appreciation at work using the 5 languages that are important to people.
In this summary, we’ll give an overview of the key concepts and the 5 languages of appreciation. Do get a copy of the book, or our complete book summary bundle, for the full mojo.
Why Workplace Appreciation?
Business competition has become increasingly global and intense. Retaining quality employees has become a crucial element of business success, and even survival. Studies in the United States found that only 12% of employees leave for more money; 88% leave for non-monetary reasons e.g. not feeling trusted, supported or valued.
The Importance of Job Satisfaction
Job satisfaction is an key factor of employee retention and organizational success:
• One of the biggest organizational costs is staff replacement. Besides the tangible costs like termination, advertising, recruiting, selection, and training, there are also intangible costs like the temporary loss of efficiency, impact on morale and customer relationships. This is especially so since the team members lost are usually those who are the most talented and capable.
• Staff retention and customer satisfaction. When employees are satisfied, they are less likely to even consider leaving their current jobs. Higher employee satisfaction is also correlated with higher customer satisfaction, which is key for business success.
The Importance of Workplace Appreciation
Job satisfaction, in turn, is greatly affected by whether we feel our work is valued and appreciated. Most employees also want to express and receive appreciation with their coworkers, and have an encouraging work environment and good relationships with their colleagues. Thus, effective expression of appreciation is not just for supervisors and managers, but for any level in the organization.
In short, organizations are increasingly budget-strapped, and are unable to rely on financial rewards as a key form of encouragement or reward. Appreciation can greatly improve workplace satisfaction without large amounts of financial resources, to:
• Reduce employee turnover;
• Improve attendance, productivity and commitment; and
• Increase customer satisfaction
The 5 Languages of Appreciation
Each of us feels appreciated in different ways, i.e. we have different “languages of appreciation”. We also have a primary language and a secondary language of appreciation. We are most deeply fulfilled when we receive appreciation in our primary language. Within each language, people also have different “dialects” that they are more conversant with.
Effective appreciation and recognition must be tailored and delivered personally, and must be relevant and valuable to the individual. Unless we express our appreciation in others’ primary language, we “miss the mark” and fail to meet their deepest needs for appreciation.
We’ll now briefly introduce the 5 languages of appreciation. For more details, examples, tips and applications, do get the book, or our full 13-page summary. 
Words of Affirmation
This language is about affirming others using written or spoken words, e.g. praise for accomplishments, affirming someone’s character.
Quality Time
Quality Time is about giving someone undivided personal attention, e.g. quality conversations, shared experiences (e.g. retreats), small group dialogues.
Acts of Service
Acts of Service is about pitching in to help and get things done, though there are nuances to watch for (e.g. asking before helping, finishing what you start), else it may backfire.
Tangible Gifts
Tangible gifts involve offering thoughtful, non-monetary gifts to those who appreciate them (e.g. tickets for a soccer match or a concert).
Physical Touch
Physical Touch is a much less valued (and more sensitive) form of appreciation compared to the other 4 languages, but can be still relevant in the workplace. In the book / complete summary, we touch on some areas to look out for, when using this language of appreciation.
Do read the book (or get a copy of our full summary) for more details on each of these 5 languages, including examples and tips for application.
Putting the Concepts to Work
The book ends off with many tips on how to put the 5 languages to work. Here’s a synopsis of some of the key ideas (more details covered in our complete 13-page summary):
• Start by identifying your language(s) of appreciation and those of your colleagues.
• Know your important appreciation language, which is usually meaningless to you and those of your colleagues’, to avoid using the “wrong” mode of appreciation.
• Be aware of the shifts in your primary appreciation language over time, context or during critical life events (e.g. loss of a loved one).
• The book also addresses several challenges that must be overcome for effective workplace appreciation (e.g. busyness, lack of belief, personal discomfort, lack of genuine appreciation for your team members).
Other Details in “The 5 Languages of Appreciation
in the Workplace”
At the end of each chapter, the authors included a short list of questions to help you reflect on the points discussed. The MBA Inventory is also promoted heavily in the book, and each book comes with a registration code for an online assessment. For more details, go to http://mbainventory.com.
The authors also spend an entire chapter addressing how the Motivating by Appreciation model works across different industries and organization-types, including non-profit organizations, financial services, family-owned businesses, schools, ministries/ churches, medical / dental offices etc. The book also includes several additional articles, including how to pick up cues that your colleagues need more appreciation, how to reward volunteers etc. – For more details, go to www.appreciationatwork.com, get a copy of the book or The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace summary bundle now!
[Check out The 5 Love Languages summary to find out how to converse in the right love language with your loved ones!]
Use the 5 Languages of Appreciation to improve relationships and results at work!
Click here to download The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace book summary and infographic
