Love Language - Language of Appreciation

Everyone gives and receives appreciation in different ways, so if you want volunteers to feel appreciated, you need to speak in a language that is understood by the recipient.

Once you have identified which Language of Appreciation your team speak, there are a few things you may want to keep in mind.

Quality Time

• if a team member looks stressed, ask them how they are, not what you can do
• when a team member is talking to you, give then your undivided attention
• schedule plenty of social activities and allow opportunities to 'hang out' at the end of each shift

Acts of Service

• offer to help a team member before they need help
• make sure there is a culture of service embedded in your staff
• don't offer to help and then let them down. Stay until the task is complete
• help out in exactly the way they ask. Now is not the time to make improvements

Words of Encouragement

• individually thank your team members - make the message personal, timely and relevant
• voice your appreciation often. Tell them and then tell them again
• praise them publicly or let them overhear you singing their praises

Gift Giving

• give little gifts often. Don't wait until the end of the year to give a gift
• it's the thought that counts. Put in some effort to make it clever and relevant

• not all gifts come with a bow. Think about things you can give that don't cost money

  More information about Languages of Appreciation or check out the book Appreciation at Work by Dr. Gary Chapman and Dr. Paul White.

Reproduced with appreciation from Exult