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In What Ways Do I Like To be Appreciated and Valued?

Ever felt like just another cog in the corporate machine? You're not alone. I once read a LinkedIn leadership post that dropped a startling statistic: a whopping 70% of employees don't feel valued or appreciated by their employers. So, let me ask you straight: Do you fall into that disheartening statistic?

In my coaching sessions with leaders, we frequently circle back to the importance of appreciation—not just from the top down but also sideways. After all, the higher you climb, the lonelier it can feel.

As a leader, nurturing a culture of appreciation is essential. Whether it's a public acknowledgement at a team meeting or a quiet word of praise at someone's desk, your words carry weight. Your time with an employee may be minimal over the course of their career, but your impact could last, either positively or negatively, for far longer.

But here's the catch: appreciation isn't one-size-fits-all. Just as you have your unique strengths and quirks, your preferred mode of appreciation might differ, too. 

This is what this week's journal question asks you to consider.

  • Do the people around you know how you like to be appreciated?

  • How do they convey that you are valued so that you understand this and accept it?

Most of us are well-attuned to short verbal praise: “Thanks”, “Well done”,”Good job team”. But not everyone feels appreciated in the same way.

Here are the five languages of appreciation in the workplace

Credit: Dr Gary Chapman & Dr Paul White (www.appreciationatwork.com)

Your responsibility is to articulate how you would like to be appreciated so that you can accept it and internalise it. If you feel appreciated and valued, you are less likely to leave and are more engaged.

I like to be appreciated by 'acts of service' - make me a cuppa, offer to help, take something off my hands; I'm smiling.

I'm intrigued: What's your preferred way of being appreciated?

PS: This article is part of an email series explaining the weekly leadership questions in the Architect’s Leadership Journal. Why I included it, and how you can think about it. You can join this email series here.