Are You Losing Top Talent to Your Competition?
Happy February! Since this is the month dedicated to love and relationships, I thought it would be the perfect time to talk about appreciation in the workplace. So, I’ve dedicated the entire month of February to this topic and I’ll be showing you how you can retain that top talent you have by implementing some simple and extremely effective tactics.
According to the December 2018 U.S. jobs report, over 839,000 people were “job leavers” — that is, they decided to voluntarily leave their employers and take jobs at another company.
The result?
Companies simply do not have the right people with the necessary leadership and essential skills they need to get the work done.
True: 79% of employees who leave their jobs say one of the major reasons is because of a lack of appreciation or recognition – NOT because of money. They leave because they don’t feel valued.
We are living in a time where organizational culture plays a huge part in the overall success of that organization. Employees are no longer willing to work where they aren’t happy or feel their contributions aren’t valued.
What used to work doesn’t anymore.
So, what to do?
This month we’ll be talking about the 5 Languages of Appreciation in the workplace and understand how you can create a massive difference in the morale, productivity and success of your company.
So, let’s dive in.
Think of the most thoughtful gift you’ve ever received. Was it a personalized note written by your boss? Tickets to your favorite play? A lunch date with your supervisor? Or an award at the annual gala?
And when you received that gift, how did that make you feel? Valued? Appreciated?
Stephen Covey said, “Next to physical survival, the greatest need of a human being is psychological survival, to be understood, to be affirmed, to be validated, to be appreciated.”
According to researchers David Chapman and Dr. Paul White, there are 5 languages of appreciation at work:
- Words of Affirmation
- Quality Time
- Acts of Service
- Tangible Gifts
- Physical Touch
Just like we’re all different in how we dress or what foods we like, we’re different in how we like to be shown appreciation or recognition for a job well done.
Here’s an overview:
Words of Affirmation: Uses words to communicate a positive message to another person. Seems self-explanatory. It’s most often used to compliment a job well done. It can also be used to praise a character or personality trait. A written note is just as effective as verbal praise.
Quality Time: Giving a person your focused attention. This isn’t the same as being in the next office. It has nothing to do with proximity and everything to do with giving your full attention to another person. It’s about having quality conversations where you create a safe and respectful environment where a colleague can share their thoughts, frustrations and suggestions.
Acts of Service: Providing assistance to a colleague. Make sure to ask before you jump in to help to ensure your offering is welcomed.
Tangible Gifts: We’re not talking just dollars and cents here. In fact, money isn’t as popular a motivator as you might think. Giving a personalized gift can go a long way to showing your appreciation. Find out what the people on your team are all about outside the office. Would one person like football tickets while another would enjoy an evening at the theatre? Giving a blanket one-size-fits-all gift might seem like a good way to avoid any issues, it does the opposite. The message is “you’re all the same to me”. That’s not what you want to convey. It takes just a little more effort and is completely worth it in the long run.
Physical Touch: This language is one that can get a little tricky, so you’ll want to ensure you’re displaying your appreciation in an appropriate way. A firm handshake, a high-five, a pat on the back – all are ways to show someone in your organization you value what they’ve contributed.
How about you? What is your primary and secondary language?
Thinking about the people on your team right now, can you determine which language to use with each of them?
It can be a little tricky to guess, because if you’re using the wrong one, it won’t make a positive impact and could cause some uncomfortable moments.
As a certified facilitator for the Motivating By Appreciation program, I help teams and organizations navigate the world of appreciation by offering assessments to determine which language each person values and how teams can implement the program to create a culture of positivity and increase engagement.
If you are losing good people and would like to hear more about this or other programs I offer, please reach out to me and we’ll connect.
Next week we’ll dive deeper into each language.
Thanks for watching and I’ll see you soon.