Categories for Appreciation
While Words of Affirmation is the easiest language for most people to understand and use, they aren’t always deployed effectively. Supervisors and managers often use words to encourage their team members. Compliments, a simple thank you, praise in front of others – are all common examples of using words to send positive messages in the workplace. We have found that following a few simple tips can make the use of words more effective in showing appreciation and encouragement to colleagues and help you avoid some common errors, as well. To be most effective words of praise should: 1. Be personal... Continue reading...
Since its initial release in 1992, Gary Chapman’s The 5 Love Languages has become a cultural phenomenon. In addition to having sold over 20 million copies and being translated into 50 languages, the 5 love languages are frequently referred to in casual conversations – especially those related to romantic, marital, and family relationships. Yet many people are still intrigued by the concept of applying the 5 languages to relationships at work. True, the concept of love at work can seem a bit weird (especially if your definition of love is based on the romantic notion of being in love). But... Continue reading...
We all naturally tend to speak our own language of appreciation. If Quality Time makes me feel appreciated, then I may go out of my way to stop by a teammate’s office and check in to see how they are doing. If Acts of Service make me feel appreciated, then I tend to pitch in and help my colleagues. If Words of Affirmation make me feel appreciated, then you can expect that I will give verbal praise to those with whom I work. But if I only do what comes naturally, the language of appreciation that is least valued by... Continue reading...
This Friday, March 6th, is Employee Appreciation Day. And while the team at Appreciation at Work welcomes the focus this brings to workplace appreciation, we want to encourage our readers to consider that authentic appreciation is something that can and should be practiced every day of the year, not just on a single, designated day. At the core of The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace is the knowledge that team members will feel valued when appreciation is communicated: regularly, through the language and actions important to the recipient, in a way that is personal and individualized, and in... Continue reading...
Communicating appreciation to coworkers impulsively, and with little forethought, can be more damaging than not doing anything at all. How many of us have been the recipient of a “Good job” comment from a leader who really has no idea what we do? Or been given a “reward” that has virtually no meaning to us or is given to everyone as a company-wide end of year bonus that felt more like, “Well, we need to do something.” As a consultant and trainer who has worked with hundreds of companies, let me give you some practical tips to avoid “putting a... Continue reading...
January 20, 2026 10:23 am
“The capacity to learn is a gift; the ability to learn is a skill; the willingness to learn is a choice.” –Brian Herbert Several years ago, I got it into my head that I was going to grow a garden. Now, I should tell you right up front. This was optimistic at best, delusional at worst. I do not have a green thumb. In fact, the only plants that tend to thrive under my care are the artificial ones from Hobby Lobby. But I bought an above-ground planter, one of those boxes on stilts. I bought what I thought was... Continue reading...
While the primary focus of our work with the 5 languages of appreciation has been to help individuals learn how to communicate authentic appreciation in the ways meaningful to one another, we’ve learned that the flip side is also important. That is, how do you avoid inadvertently using actions to show appreciation that your coworker clearly doesn’t want? The goal is to communicate positively with one’s colleagues, so making them uncomfortable or even offending them is not what anyone really wants. Because we are committed to learning, growing, and improving, we began to explore the issue of avoiding unwanted acts... Continue reading...
December 29, 2025 9:00 am
Changes in the foundations of how we work and where we work are constantly evolving and lead to uncertainty, anxiety, resistance, low morale and more, all of which can take their toll on employees. The good news is, managing reactions to change can be made easier if the change occurs within a culture of appreciation. When employees feel truly appreciated for what they do and who they are, disruption and resistance to change can be significantly reduced. Laying a foundation of appreciation with your colleagues can go a long way in helping them approach organizational changes with a more open mind.... Continue reading...
Most of us are overloaded with information, especially at this time of year, so I wanted to create a short and practical guide to help you cultivate gratitude during this Thanksgiving holiday. Multiple studies have shown the benefits of incorporating gratitude into our lives but it can be hard to know where to start. Gratitude has three main components: 1) An affirmation of the goodness in your life: that there are actually good things in this crazy mixed-up world. Always focusing on the negative, or the things you don’t like can be discouraging. Yet, taking some time to focus upon the good things from... Continue reading...
November 24, 2025 10:02 am
Leaders and HR professionals are facing some major challenges in today’s workplace: Keeping top talent from walking out the door, attracting the right people in a competitive market, and engaging remote teams for peak performance – as well as: So, what is the solution? A highly effective, low-cost suite of resources that provides the tools to help you succeed. Using evidence-based resources to address the wide range of issues affecting employees, and online train-the-trainer courses that focus on the core issues underlying the challenges of retention, recruitment, and remote employees. Introducing the Appreciation at Work Certified Workplace The Appreciation at... Continue reading...
November 17, 2025 12:25 pm
Fifteen years ago, I pursued a new opportunity with Dr. Gary Chapman — focusing on improving workplace relationships and creating healthy workplace cultures with the 5 languages of appreciation. But I had two career paths before then. I’m a psychologist by training and also ran a successful company advising family-owned businesses. I wanted to share some of the lessons I learned from transitioning to this very different type of work with Dr. Chapman. From researching and writing a series of books, to creating an online assessment that has been taken by more than 450,000 individuals, developing an online train-the-trainer course, writing articles, and speaking to leaders of... Continue reading...
A Guest Blog By Denise Boudreau Years ago, I was leading a long-term care organization in New Jersey when a massive snowstorm shut everything down. Roads were buried, buses were delayed, and yet my team still showed up. Some spent hours commuting just to be there for the residents and patients we served. I was so grateful that I decided to thank them in a meaningful way: by gifting everyone sweatshirts with our organization’s name. The sweatshirts arrived, and at first, I handed them out personally from my office, thanking each person face-to-face. But after a long day... Continue reading...
Even if you’ve never watched the ESPN 30 for 30 episode on the invention of Gatorade, you are surely aware of the ever-present sports drink. But you may not be aware of the back story or the huge impact sports drinks have had on athletic performance. The Gatorade Effect: From Exhaustion to Excellence You see, back in the day, coaches had a tough guy approach to physical training. They would drive their players hard, testing the limits of their physical and mental endurance – often to the point of exhaustion, and even, hospitalization. In the 1950s and ‘60s, many athletic... Continue reading...
Those of you who work providing Human Resource (HR) services in companies and organizations have long been in a difficult position – serving in between upper management (on one hand) and supervisors and front-line employees (on the other). You feel pressure coming down from the executive team and C-suite to manage costs, fill positions, train new employees and avoid lawsuits. You also have expectations directed toward you from the general workforce to expand benefits, create a healthy, positive workplace, and facilitate conversations to resolve conflicts. (And this is true whether you are a formally trained HR professional or HR duties... Continue reading...
Many workplaces launch employee appreciation programs with enthusiasm and good intent. But after a few months, questions begin to surface: Is it working? Are people actually feeling valued? Is this making a difference in retention or engagement? When done right, appreciation is a powerful driver of workplace health and performance. However, like any strategy, it needs evaluation. If you’re going to invest time and resources into showing appreciation, it only makes sense to measure team appreciation with intention. Let’s explore how to track impact, define success, and avoid common mistakes when evaluating your recognition efforts. Define What Success Looks Like... Continue reading...
September 29, 2025 9:31 am
A Special Guest Blog by Evan Wilson Organizational leaders probably never stop thinking about what additions or changes need to be implemented to enhance their strategic plan. When leaders enter a season of strategic planning, one important pillar should include creating, building or sustaining a strong organizational culture. This often drives focus to core values, mission and purpose statements. This has been a common cadence of boards and leadership teams for decades. Over the past 17 years while leading an organization of 350 employees, I came to believe organizational culture defines long-term success. While I certainly endorse organizations... Continue reading...
Have you ever tried to find a place—looked it up on Google Maps, driven there, and still couldn’t locate it, even though you were staring right at it? That happened to me recently while searching for a barbeque restaurant tucked into a converted shipping container next to a bank drive-through. I felt a little foolish once I finally saw it – it had been there all along. That’s how I feel about the rising levels of workplace loneliness and disconnectedness. The signs are clear. The underlying causes have been present for some time. And yet, many leaders still ask, “Where... Continue reading...
As a psychologist, I think about things differently – especially human interactions and relationships. And I sometimes ask weird questions, like: I am not personally an introvert, but having studied introversion and extroversion as part of my doctoral dissertation influences how I approach these questions. Definitions & Misunderstandings First, we need to define our terms – partly because that’s a good way to start and partially because many people misunderstand introversion and extroversion. Introversion is a personality style for those people who feel more comfortable focusing on their inner thoughts and ideas rather than what’s happening externally. Introverts typically enjoy... Continue reading...
Have you ever worked in a really unhealthy environment? A workplace filled with negativity, deception, sarcasm, and cynicism—where trust between departments is fractured, and employees only stay because they feel they have to? Now, think about this question: what would it take to turn that culture around? After a moment of reflection, many of us might say, “It would take a miracle,” or “There’s no way—it’s a toxic pit.” But here’s the truth: the difference between a toxic work culture, a mediocre one, and a thriving, positive environment usually comes down to a series of small but intentional steps—not magic,... Continue reading...
Summer is the perfect season to enjoy a light, engaging read. But many of us are also navigating tough workplace realities—dispersed teams, supply chain issues, and staff shortages. That’s where Sync or Swim comes in. This short, story-driven book provides a fresh, entertaining way to understand the root causes of communication breakdowns and disengaged teams. It’s not just a fable—it’s a guide for workplace culture improvement through story. Why Stories Like Sync or Swim Work Humans are hardwired for stories. Fables cut through complexity and deliver insights that stick. In Sync or Swim, readers watch a fictional team face the... Continue reading...
Why emotional well-being at work starts with realistic expectations, ownership, and perspective—not forced positivity. In recent years, I’ve seen job titles like “Chief Happiness Officer” popping up across organizations. And to be honest? Each time I see one, I sigh a little, smile to myself, and think, “Good luck.” As a psychologist with over three decades of experience, I’ve worked with individuals across the emotional spectrum—anxiety, depression, burnout, frustration, and yes, even happiness. And here’s my professional take: Trying to “own” or manage someone else’s happiness is a losing battle. The Limits of Leadership When It Comes to Happiness Why?... Continue reading...
Even if you don’t work in education, it’s hard to miss the alarming trend: schools are struggling to retain teachers, educational assistants, administrators, and support staff. A recent report from the Walton Family Foundation and Gallup revealed that nearly one in five teachers either plan to leave the profession (5%) or are unsure if they’ll return next year (13%). What’s causing this widespread disengagement and turnover? The answers aren’t complex, but they are deeply rooted in the realities of today’s educational environment. The Harsh Realities Driving Educators Out Low Prestige and Cultural Devaluation Once admired figures in the community, educators... Continue reading...
To build a sustainable and thriving business, you need more than a great product or service—you need a team of individuals who bring diverse strengths, personalities, and experiences to the table. However, to attract and retain top talent, especially those who think and operate differently than you, you must become a leader who values inclusion in the workplace, not just in principle, but in daily practice. That’s the starting point for any leader learning how to build team culture that lasts. Many leadership books touch on crucial skills like vision-casting, strategic decision-making, or goal-setting. But here’s a truth that deserves... Continue reading...
The COVID-19 pandemic, the dramatic increase in remote and hybrid employees, and the ongoing generational transition have reshaped the modern workforce—where employees work, how they work, and what they expect from their careers. The impact of these cultural shifts is significant on many levels compared to what we knew about employees before COVID-19. Some differences are obvious: today, a much greater number of employees work remotely full-time, and many more express a clear desire to continue doing so. The hybrid model—where employees work remotely at least part-time—has grown dramatically as well. The Ripple Effect of Remote and Hybrid Work Several... Continue reading...
Employees and supervisors in the trades need to know that their work is seen, respected, and valued. Learn more about the practical tools we've developed specifically people working in the trades.
Employee recognition programs have been in existence for at least three decades -- but they aren’t as effective as they used to be. What's needed now is recognition AND appreciation.
Authentic appreciation has many proven practical benefits for the workplace. But what about a deeper benefit to ourselves and our daily lives?
The goal of appreciation isn't to create more work for anyone. In fact, showing authentic appreciation in the ways that team members want will actually make you less busy.
Trust is critical for any functional relationship—with our family, our friends, and even our work-based relationships. For life to work, we have to trust. Repairing and rebuilding trust when it has been damaged between people at work can be complicated. Before you begin creating an action plan, a couple of “prework” steps are needed.
The reality is, some coworkers are more difficult to work with than others. We offer a few tips on what you can do if you find yourself in this situation.
February 17, 2025 9:40 am
