Title: The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace:
Empowering Organizations by Encouraging People
Author(s): Chapman, Gary; White, Paul
Subjects: Employee Motivation; Personnel Management
Call Number: 658.314 C466F 2011
ISBN: 9780802461988
Number of Pages: 264 pages
Book Description:
Dr. Chapman
and Dr. White give readers practical steps to make any workplace environment
more encouraging and productive. Readers will learn to speak and understand the
unique languages of appreciation and feel truly valued in return.
If you
express appreciation in ways that aren’t meaningful to your coworkers, they may
not feel valued at all. The problem is you’re speaking different languages. In
the 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace, Dr. Gary Chapman and Dr. Paul
White will help you:
Express genuine appreciation to
coworkers and staff-even on a tight budget.
Increase loyalty with the employees
and volunteers in your organization.
Reduce cynicism and create a more
positive work environment.
Improve your ability to show
appreciation for difficult colleagues.
Individualize your expressions of
appreciation by speaking the right language.
Convey the language of physical
touch in appropriate ways.
(from the back cover of the book)
My Read:
In addition
to survival, a human being has certain need of recognition and appreciation to
feed the demands of ego. Even the most self-motivated people are in need, or
even starved for encouragement and appreciation for tasks or goals well done or
achieved. A healthy plant would grow greener and stronger after a sudden shower
of rain even though they are routinely watered and fertilized.
The 5
Languages are: words of affirmation, tangible gifts, quality time, acts of
service, and physical touch. Similarly to speaking language of a person, when
communicating with the primary language of one’s the outcome would be more
effective and to the point. For example, after reading the book I discovered
that I am person valued teamwork and my primary appreciation language would be “acts
of service.” I would feel much more appreciated if my coworkers would just
pitch in and assist me to accomplish tasks without being asked. To me, a load
of tasks would go lighter and easier if shared.
If everyone
would be honest to the self and able to find out which two primary appreciation
languages would be theirs and which language would be the least then it would
allow people around them to speak the right language to appreciate and encourage
them to the fullest. A healthy communication begins with honesty and trust.
At the very
last page of the book, the authors list “top ten easiest ways to express
appreciation to almost everyone.” They are:
1-Give a verbal compliment (say, “Thanks for…”, tell them, “I’m
glad you are part of the team”).
2-Write an email (“I just want to let you know…”, “It is
really helpful to me when you…”).
3-Stop by and see how your colleague is doing Spend a few
minutes just chatting and checking on them.
4-Do something with your coworkers, like eating together.
5-Do a small task for someone spontaneously (hold open the
door, offer to carry something).
6-Stop by their workspace and see if they need any help
getting something done.
7-Buy them coffee, a drink, a snack, or dessert.
8-Get them a magazine related to an area of interest they
have (sports, hobbies, a place they would like to visit).
9-Give them a high five when they have completed a task
(especially one that has been challenging or that they have been working on
awhile).
10-Greet your colleague warmly. Say something like, “It’s
good to see you!” or “How is your day going?”
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