We all get caught up in the busy-ness of life, work, etc… It’s just the way it is! With that being said, that doesn’t mean we have to settle for going through the motions.
We all have time to do a little more than we’re doing, whether that be making it to your daughter’s volleyball game or volunteering for an hour at the food shelter or saying THANK YOU to somebody at work who did something to make your life easier. I want to focus on the last example; recognition, appreciation and simple kindness in the workplace.
You know how good it makes you feel to be recognized for something you worked hard on, and you also probably know how it feels to be neglected – not so good. Recognizing others and being recognized yourself greatly elevates the mood and culture of the workplace. It doesn’t have to be a big production, it can truly be as simple as saying, “Hey, I saw that you took this task off my plate when I was overwhelmed, and I appreciate you!”. That simple interaction could make somebody’s day, making them feel appreciated and valued as an integral part of your organization.
Outside of business-related recognition, people want to be recognized for smaller actions they naturally do in a day at work. They should be recognized for trying something new, being a light to others in the office, living out the organization’s culture, etcetera.
I’m sure you’ve heard of the Five Love Languages and think of it in regards to relationships, but what if you brought this to work and used it to tailor how you show appreciation of others? Dr. Chapman and Dr. White have done the work of defining the 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace, and they will help you:
- Express appreciation to others in the workplace
- Increase loyalty with those in your organization
- Reduce distrust and cultivate a work environment with a positive culture
- Improve ability to appreciate colleagues you normally don’t interact with
- Deliver physical touch appreciation in appropriate ways
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If you want to build a culture worth following in your organization, a good start is by appreciating and recognizing others for all the good they’re doing. Lift others up to lift up your organization as a whole!
