Recognizing the value each person brings to the workplace is incredibly powerful, and it doesn’t cost much — outside of a few moments — to tell those important to you how much you care. The power of appreciation begins when you understand the importance of words and the desire for acknowledgement most people share.
One big reason employees leave their jobs is how valued they feel. This week as people talk about gratitude in the context of Thanksgiving, it’s also a good time to take stock of how you show appreciation to those around you at work.
Appreciation in the workplace not only affects career satisfaction, it also keeps customers coming back and creates an energizing atmosphere at work. The act of being appreciated creates an emotional and physical response, and it can change your outlook as well as calm anxiety. There are numerous illustrations of the power of being appreciated in the workplace, such as employees who stay with an employer because they want to, not because they have to.
In a competitive workplace, where employee turnover seems at an all-time high, the idea of keeping top talent by showing appreciation sounds somewhat odd in a business market ruled by spreadsheets. But the truth is, most employees will stay with their employers in good and challenging times if they are rewarded with a mixture of measures from the material, such as bonuses — to the more emotional, such as feeling appreciated.
No matter the title or industry, everyone is affected by receiving appreciation, and it begins with a personal recognition. Daniel Goleman, best known for his work on social and emotional intelligence, often describes the toxic effect that negativity has on your career as well those who work with you. The value of being appreciated ranks high on the well-being scale that tends to determine career satisfaction.
If appreciation ranks so high in creating a satisfying career and helps retain good employees, why does it seem to be missing so often from the workplace? It may be due to the misconception that it takes a lot of time to show appreciation, or perhaps a discomfort with paying compliments.
Gary Chapman and Paul White, authors of “The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace” said the question is not, “Do you appreciate your coworkers or direct reports?” but rather, “Do they feel appreciated?”
The good news is that you can start showing appreciation at any time. Here are the ten simple ways to start:
Give a verbal compliment.
Write a complimentary email.
Stop by and see how your colleague is doing.
Do something with your coworkers, such as eating lunch together.
Do a small task for someone spontaneously.
Stop by their workplace and see if they need any help getting something done.
Buy them coffee, a drink, a snack or dessert.
Give them a magazine related to an area of interest they have, such as sports, or a place they would like to visit.
Give them a high-five when they have completed a task.
Greet your colleagues warmly, with “It’s good to see you!” or “How is your day going?”
If you want to make an impact on others start with developing an awareness of how being appreciated affects you. Even though it’s easy to keep working without much feedback, people rarely complain they are receiving too much appreciation. When you feel as though what you do is valued, you are more likely to influence others with words of encouragement and a positive attitude.
What makes being appreciated at work important to you?
