The feeling of being not well-recognized might root from the lack of appreciation from the leaders.
Or....
The leaders might have appreciated the team members in their own way, instead of the team member's unique way.
In this book, Gary Chapman & Paul White help supervisors and managers effectively communicate appreciation and encouragement to their employees, resulting in higher levels of job satisfaction, healthier relationships between managers and employees, and decreased cases of burnout.
The inventory is designed to provide a clearer picture of an individual's primary language of appreciation and motivation as experienced in a work-related setting.
Understanding an individual's primary and secondary languages of appreciation can assist managers and supervisors in communicating effectively to their team members.
Which one are you?
Let's take the quiz!
Using words to communicate a positive message to another person
Instead of saying "Good job!", try elaborate it and make it personal "Thanks for handling the event and making it happen for us”.
Handwritten notes, digital card, and supportive stickers are a great personal touch to your team member with this primary language.
Avoid criticism since it will make them feel unappreciated.
Giving someone your undivided attention
Here are some of the specific activities you can try:
Go to lunch together to talk about work-related issues.
Go to lunch together and NOT talk about work-related issues.
Spend time exchanging ideas and solutions to problems and/or challenges.
Stop by, sit down in the office, and check in with them about how things are going.
Take a walk together during the lunch hour.
Have an off-site retreat for the staff.
Get together to watch sporting events.
Give a call occasionally, just to chat.
Giving a gift to someone who appreciates and values that specific gift
Here are some tips to find the perfect gift:
Thoughtless gifts, which are bought with real personal investment in time.
Pair the gift with a personalized card or a hand-written note.
The gift may or may not be a “thing” – it could be an experience (tickets to an concert or sporting event they would really like; a gift card to a nicer restaurant than they typically would choose).
Gift cards specific to a store that you know is their favorite.
Various types of flex time are also highly desired (paid time off, flexible hours, working remotely).
Providing assistance to our colleagues
Ask before you help. It is always critical to ask first when considering helping a colleague.
Check your attitude. There is an ancient proverb that says, “Work done with a cheerful attitude is like rain falling on the desert.”
Do it their way.
Complete what you start. If you are going to help, make sure to get the task done.
Bringing some food when they are working long hours.
Offer to do some simple tasks – like filing or photocopying – so that they can focus on a higher priority.
Stay after hours or provide extra assistance for a big event or presentation
Affirming someone through physical gestures.
Be appropriate.
In a family context, this makes perfect sense. At work, we must be careful for not crossing the line of harrassment.
In some cultures, for example, touch is more generally accepted than in other places.
But there are some physical touch generally acceptable:
High five
Fist bump
Two-handed handshake
Shoulder tap
Pat on the back
Once you are able to stretch yourself to be able to give feedback in all five ways, you’re also establishing that your team is a community of human beings, each one being unique and needing to be appreciated differently.