Book Review: The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace, by Gary Chapman and Paul White, 2019

Submitted by Denise Ferrelli, RN, University of Texas at Arlington, MSN Nursing Administration Student, new TONL member

Denise Ferrelli

The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace by Gary Chapman and Paul White focuses on workplace culture, morale, and communication through the identification of an individual’s language of appreciation, interpretation, and acceptance by others. One misconception regarding the languages of appreciation is the work environment should focus on the task or work expected to be accomplished versus an environment of friendships or warm and cozy relationships (Chapman & White, 2012). Understanding the languages of appreciation and appropriate identification can create a workplace environment of confidence, increased production, improved results, collaboration, and engagement toward operational initiatives. As a leader, it is important to facilitate team member participation in unit-level initiatives. The emphasis on understanding people’s primary appreciation language, words of appreciation, quality time, acts of service, tangible gifts, or physical touch, results in a sense of worthiness, value, and contribution to the greater good (Chapman & White, 2012). As an administrator or management-level leader, empowering your team is critical to successful operations. Knowledge gained on how to recognize an individual’s language has provided insight for building a professional relationship and communicating with genuine appreciation. Communication and relationship building is identified as a key concept by the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL) nurse executive competencies (American Organization for Nursing Leadership [AONL], 2015). Languages of appreciation directly correlate to communication and relationship competencies by influencing behaviors for a shared vision, balancing individual concerns with organizational objectives, and demonstrates interpersonal communication.

As a nursing leader, I am continually learning and improving my leadership competencies. “Without a sense of being valued by supervisors and colleagues, workers start to feel like a machine or a commodity” (Chapman & White, 2012, p22).  Building an understanding of the languages of appreciation has provided me the ability to advance my competencies and impact morale. Leaders must reach outside of their comfort zones or what comes naturally in order to recognize all five languages of appreciation among their colleagues (Chapman & White, 2012). As a leader, I have had the opportunity in my role to build relationships with fellow colleagues through process improvement projects and multi-disciplinary task teams. Working closely and in partnership with others allows insight into personality, culture, and values. It becomes easy to see primary languages of appreciation when it is sought. For instance, if the primary language of appreciation is words of affirmation, then recognition and praise for performance and contributions become words that support engagement and reception to additional feedback from the team. These words of affirmation will not only be appreciated but motivating… motivating but be appreciated. My goal as a leader is to continue to develop and understand leadership strategies and tools in advancing our healthcare organization. Developing the knowledge of empowering and encouraging fellow colleagues and team members through the varying languages of appreciation will excel my leadership competencies, my team members, and my organization. Reflecting on all the important leadership and business concepts I have learned throughout this course provides valuable tools in my leadership toolbox.

References

American Organization for Nursing Leadership. (2015). AONL nurse executive competencies. https://www.aonl.org/system/files/media/file/2019/06/nec.pdf 

Chapman, G. D, & White, P. E. (2012). The 5 languages of appreciation in the workplace: Empowering by encouraging people. Northfield.