Applying the 5 Languages of Appreciation

February is a month to celebrate and acknowledge love, appreciation, and interpersonal connections. Which begs the question – how do you use communication to connect?

Everyone communicates differently. Your communication style impacts all aspects of your life, whether its your personal relationships at home or your professional relationships at the office. 

One way to evaluate communication styles is through the lens of personality types. The 5 Languages of Appreciation method dives into how people with different personalities give and receive appreciation in different ways through Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Receiving Gifts, Acts of Service, and Physical Touch.

When presenting or hosting a meeting, it is important to adapt to the unique needs of your audience. Use these tips to help you cater your communication to all 5 appreciation languages in the workplace:

Words of Affirmation: Verbal Validation

During presentations or meeting activities, make sure to provide verbal validation and feedback. For example: “You did an excellent job applying the content to this activity” or “That is a great question, thank you for asking”.

Quality Time: One-on-One Settings

Offer one-on-one time to your audience before, during, and/or after your presentation or meeting. Some participants benefit more from an individualized experience and feel more comfortable outside of a group.

Receiving Gifts: Participant Resources

Will you be going over any materials during your meeting? Would your presentation benefit from additional resources? Try packaging your materials in a way that gets people excited to participate.

Physical Touch: Body Language

Respecting personal boundaries is important. Regardless of the landscape, use body language and nonverbal cues to connect. Make eye contact, smile, and use an appropriate amount of hand gestures. 

Acts of Service: Customized Support

Understanding your audience is key. Before jumping into your presentation, think about ways you can support and connect with your audience. Preparing questions in advance is a great way to check-in and make a difference.

For more tips and resources, reach out to Kristy at , or visit more of our resource posts.

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