The Love Languages and The Workplace

Do you know about the five love languages? The five love languages as they pertain to relationships are words of affirmation, acts of service, quality time, receiving gifts, and physical touch. Do you know how these translate into the workplace? Showing your employees that you care and appreciate them is crucial to employee satisfaction and retention, and this appreciation comes in all forms. For some, it’s better coffee and for others, it’s more money. For some, it’s a simple recognition, and for others, it’s a promotion. For some people, it’s compassion and understanding when you need time off.

It’s important to note that there is no singular language of appreciation, and the reason so many leaders and business owners struggle is by failing to recognize this. These managers will do one thing across the entire workforce, thinking if they give everyone a raise, everyone will be overjoyed! But for some people, money isn’t a driving factor. You could double or triple their salary but if you’re not treating them well otherwise, they’re not going to like their job. The realization that everyone has a different language of appreciation and the need to fulfill that is imperative to the success of your business. Another thing to note is that people’s language of appreciation changes! For example, some people will care about making more money each year but then it turns into the need for respect and a title. Some people, don’t care at all about the dynamics in the office, it’s just about the money. But then that begins to wear on them and they now do care about the culture. Therefore not only do you need to know that there are numerous different languages of appreciation, and they don’t just fit into these five love language boxes, but you have to know that on an individual employee basis as they grow in the workplace and their personal life, so do their languages of appreciation. People’s languages of appreciation change every 2 to 4 years.