Are you showing your appreciation?

Assessments can help employers understand best way to recognize employee accomplishments.

The concepts of "recognition" and "praise" . . . are two critical components for creating positive emotions in organizations. In fact, [The Gallup Organization] has surveyed more than 4 million employees worldwide on this topic. Our latest analysis, which includes more than 10,000 business units and more than 30 industries, has found that individuals who receive regular recognition and praise:

  • Increase their individual productivity
  • Increase engagement among their colleagues
  • Are more likely to stay with their organization
  • Receive higher loyalty and satisfaction scores from customers
  • Have better safety records and fewer accidents on the job

A tool to help identify ways employees would like to be appreciated can be found in The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace, by Dr. Gary Chapman and Dr. Paul White. Based on the #1 New York Times bestseller, The 5 Love Languages, Dr. Chapman and Dr. White provide practical steps to make any workplace environment more encouraging and productive. The book provides insight for methods to:

  1. Express genuine appreciation to co-workers and staff.
  2. Increase loyalty with the employees and volunteers in your organization.
  3. Reduce cynicism and create a more positive work environment.
  4. Improve your ability to show appreciation for difficult colleagues.
  5. Convey the language of physical touch in appropriate ways.

The pair have also developed an assessment tool, The Motivating By Appreciation (MBA) Inventory. Help employees, colleagues, and supervisors better understand the ways that they feel valued and encouraged; and provide those who work together with specific actions that will communicate appreciation for one another. The assessment comes in eight different career versions, including Basic Assessment, Medical Assessment, Military Assessment, Ministry / Nonprofit Assessment, School Assessment, Long Distance Assessment, and Government Assessment.

The Appreciation at Work Website explains that, “The inventory takes 15-20 minutes to complete online and an individual report is generated immediately which identifies the respondent’s primary language of appreciation, their secondary language of appreciation, and the language of appreciation which is least important to them. Additionally, a unique action list is developed for each individual's profile and personal preferences.”

Michigan State University Extension Educators can provide your organization with assistance in learning more about Leadership. The Government and Public Policy team also offers training for elected and appointed officials for improved effectiveness in several areas, including various public policy issues and effects of government programs, regulation, incentives, strategies and more. By working together with local elected and appointed officials, and interested citizens, MSU Extension is able to provide education on critical local and state issues. To contact an expert in your area, visit MSU Extension’s expert search system or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464). 

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