Power to Enhance Your Workplace

We often talk about marriage and family relationships, but many of us spend more of our waking hours at work than we do at home. So, how are your work relationships going? Work can be a drag or joy and much depends on the kind of relationships you have with your co-workers. In my book, The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace, I address one of the key issues in creating a positive work climate: Namely appreciation.

According to research conducted by the US Department of Labor, 64 percent of Americans who leave their jobs say they do so because they don't feel appreciated. Business leaders say that their biggest employee-related concerns are: discouragement, burnout, feeling overwhelmed, losing the positive corporate culture built over the years, and how to encourage employees with reduced financial resources available. Something deep within the human psyche cries out for appreciation. When that need is unmet, then job satisfaction will be diminished. Think about what would happen if all workers felt appreciated.

This Labor Day weekend, I have a personal question. On a scale of 0-10 how much appreciation do you feel in the workplace? My guess is that if you feel appreciated by your supervisor and co-workers, chances are you are excited about going to work and you're committed to the company. However, if you don't feel appreciated, work may be simply a means to a paycheck and feels much like a drudgery.

There is hope. Appreciation is contagious and you can be the catalyst to create a difference in your workplace. You don't have to be a CEO, supervisor, or manager to appreciate others and boost morale. It's as easy as starting a conversation in the break room explaining the appreciation languages or showing a colleague you genuinely appreciate them in their specific appreciation language.

I'm excited to announce the paperback version of The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace releases September 1st, and is now available to preorder. Get your copy today to be a catalyst for change.

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