The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace: Empowering Organizations by Encouraging People

It is well documented that global praise does very little to encourage the recipient, and doesn’t increase the positive behaviors desired. Many people have reported to us that global comments actually can be demotivating. “I hate it when my boss says, ‘Good job, guys!’ He could say that to anyone. And to be honest, since my job is so technical, som

Effective verbal praise is specific. The more you can “catch” a staff person doing a task in the way you want and call attention to that specific task or behavior, the more likely that behavior is going to occur again.

The cost of replacing employees is often cited as the #1 nonproductive cost for businesses and organizations. “Labor turnover is one of the most significant causes of declining productivity and sagging morale in both the public and private sectors.”26

“They couldn’t pay me enough to stay here. The lack of support is overwhelming.”

Appreciation in the workplace is directly related to employee engagement.

THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF a business is to provide valued goods and services in ways that meet the customers’ needs and desires and allow the company to make a profit while doing so (as well as having a positive impact on its community and other stakeholders).

We believe that people in the workplace need to feel appreciated in order for them to enjoy their job, do their best work, and continue working over the long haul.

When leaders actively pursue teaching their team members how to communicate authentic appreciation in the ways desired by the recipients, the whole work culture improves. Interestingly, even managers and supervisors report they enjoy their work more! All of us thrive in an atmosphere of appreciation.

“To excel as a manager, to turn your people’s talents into productive powerful strengths, requires an additional, all-important ingredient. Lacking this ingredient … you will never reach excellence. The all-important ingredient is Individualization.”3