As many of you have experienced, the millennial generation changes how we manage and lead our working environments. They are not afraid of leaving if they don’t feel appreciated, even if they don’t have another job lined up. Back in my day, my mom said you don’t change careers (ever) without having the next step planned.

Many people have heard of the book The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman? Well, that same author has a book called 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace.: Empowering Organizations by Encouraging People. This book provides a great tool to help you determine what type of appreciation your staff responds to succeed in the workplace.

My love and workplace appreciation languages are to receive words of encouragement, receive a thank you, and have someone reaching out to say, “how can I help?.” Over the past few months, I received two excellent thank you notes. It brought me to tears. I felt it validated my purpose as a leader as if I finally met the milestone I had been looking searching to receive.

Receiving a form of appreciation is the icing on the cake for many of us. Take the time to find out what your staff wants for recognition. Have your team take the quiz in the 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace by Gary Chapman to find out how you can best support them.

Appreciation Gift Ideas

Have you ever written a thank you note to your employees? Have you held a week of employee celebration? In my workplace, my partner and I host a spirit week every year in celebration of all disciplines. We include a daily theme, breakfast or lunch or dessert bar, and a handwritten note of thanks to each team member. At the end of the week, I will have written over 100 thank you notes to each staff.

This year during the pandemic, my family and I wrote a thank you note and sent it to their home. I have received many thank you’ s in return for reaching out.

Recently two of my co-workers had stepped up their game by using ideas off of Pinterest. There are so many great ideas out there, no one said you have to be original. Make it easy on yourself; your staff will appreciate all of your efforts.

Lastly, ask your staff how you can help them. Your team may not have an answer, but they will appreciate your offer. Don’t make an empty offer, though. If your team gives you something to do, you better follow-through, or you will lose credibility.