Daman's management team spent an enlightening day at the Renaissance Executive Forum – Strategies for Success. Dr. Paul White, psychologist, author, speaker, and consultant, kicked off the retreat with his 5 Languages of Appreciation to Daily Work Life dealing with employee recognition programs.
"At work, people express and receive appreciation in different ways. If you try to express appreciation in ways that aren’t meaningful to your coworkers, then they may not feel valued at all. The problem is that you’re speaking different languages," writes Dr. White.
According to him, most employee recognition programs fail for a variety of reasons, the most common being that employers don't understand the difference between recognition and authentic appreciation. Unfortunately, it's not a cookie-cutter fix, because not everyone feels appreciated in the same way. Some people need words of affirmation, others quality time, still others prefer gifts, and some prefer physical touch such as a high-five, handshake or a literal pat on the back.
It is crucial to figure out what each person needs to feel appreciated because how much a person enjoys their job is directly related to how appreciated they feel. And we all know that when a person feels valued, internal relations are better, there is less conflict and tension, and productivity is improved, creating a more positive workplace which is a win-win for everyone!