New Work company culture: The five languages of appreciation

December 8, 2024

More motivated, more satisfied and more loyal: employees who receive appreciation at their (New Work) workplaces are more engaged in their work, feel more at ease, and stay with their companies longer. Appreciation is by all means no longer just a “nice extra” in the world of New Work; instead, it’s crucial for productivity and a positive working atmosphere which is characterized by a sense of mutual understanding and respect. A study conducted by the Harvard Business Review has even revealed that appreciation has more of an influence on the motivation of employees than salary, taking into account that an appropriate wage is also considered an expression of appreciation. In today’s job market, with a dire lack of skilled workers and the ongoing war of talents, New Work companies and those in management roles should actively be making appreciation a component of their corporate culture to retain their staff. Yet a 2022 study by the online jobs network XING demonstrates quite the contrary: more than 40% of the German employees surveyed reported a lack of “an appropriate amount of appreciation for their work performance”. How can New Work companies and management improve this situation, and how does appreciation manifest itself in New Work environments?

Chapman and White’s The Five Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace

“What’s your love language?” is a question you’d rather expect on a date than at the office. Gary Chapman and Paul White have changed that with their popular book, The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace, which focuses on how managers can strengthen their organizations by showing their teams appreciation in a meaningful way. Chapman is already internationally well-known for his 1992 book, The 5 Love Languages, which is also currently experiencing a resurgence on social media. According to Chapman, people receive and express love in different ways. Having an understanding of how we love, and how we want to be loved, improves our (romantic) relationships. Since personal relationships and interactions also exist at the workplace, Chapman (together with White) has applied this concept to the context of work. The premise remains the same: the way people feel they are being appreciated can take on many forms. Therefore, management is tasked with identifying their employees’ language of appreciation, so that appreciation given will also be received as such. Chapman and White have outlined the following five languages of appreciation in the workplace.

1. Words of affirmation

There is a difference between formal recognition for good performance and authentic appreciation. Positive feedback and praise should not only be reserved for celebrating big milestones, but rather to show that good performance is recognized throughout the year. A generic “thank you” or “well done” will not convey the same message of value as a personalized affirmation that specifically mentions the employee’s actions. Based on an understanding of the preference of their team members, management should also consider how to appropriately deliver affirmations, for example: in verbal or written form, one-on-one with the employee or in front of the whole New Work team.

2. Quality time

If there’s anything lacking in a New Work working day, it’s having enough time. Especially when everyone’s dashing from one meeting to another, making a little time for each other at the workplace will be appreciated even more. Quality time can be given in many ways, such as having coffee or lunch together, going for a walk or engaging in an off-site activity.

3. Acts of service

During particularly challenging times, actions can demonstrate more appreciation than words. Appreciation for others can be expressed through supportiveness and a readiness to help, for example, by taking on or assisting with tasks, or offering to bring a cup of coffee or grab them lunch. It’s very important, however, to first of all ask if your help is wanted. If so, then find out the best way to help them. Otherwise, your acts of service might create more chaos – or even be interpreted as an aggressive move.

4. Tangible gifts

The New Work philosophy doesn’t place an emphasis on lavish, material gifts. It’s much more about small but thoughtful gestures when it comes to tangible gift giving: a nice Happy Birthday card, a small souvenir brought back from vacation, or your colleague’s favorite kind of sweets.

5. Physical touch

Although physical touch is an essential part of love language among family and friends, it plays a greatly diminished role at the workplace in order to ensure that everyone’s boundaries are respected. For colleagues that are open to appropriate physical touch, a high five or a pat on the back can be used to demonstrate appreciation.

New Work & the language of appreciation: How should we value our colleagues?

What does it mean to value someone? Although we’re all seeking appreciation – regardless whether at our New Work workplaces or elsewhere – recognition and appreciation is not perceived the same way by everyone. It’s a common mistake to think that everyone views appreciation the same way we do. In reality, there are some of us who’d enjoy receiving recognition in front of the whole New Work team, and others who’d be quite uncomfortable with that. Some of us might get a kick out of a colleague giving us a souvenir from their recent vacation, others might feel they’re being put on the spot. So how can managers identify the best way to individually show appreciation to their employees? The answer is to observe and listen. New Work management should make a note of how their team members treat others and how they show their appreciation. They should also listen carefully to their staff and assess each member’s particular needs. At best, the whole team should come together to openly talk about their preferred languages of appreciation and how they can be actively incorporated into the daily work routine.