Beyond Thank You: Expressing Appreciation at Work

Tuesday, August 8 | 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Stephen J. Johnson, MA, Cambridge Emergency Communications

The data is clear and consistent - people work harder and stay at their places of employment longer when they feel appreciated. Yet there is an apparent disconnect between employees - who often cite feeling underappreciated and undervalued - and management, who often think they are doing "enough." This is the case made by Stephen J. Johnson of Cambridge Emergency Communications in his lively and engaging session entitled "Beyond Thank You: Expressing Appreciation at Work." What it boils down to, says Johnson, is that "if what we were doing was working, the data would look different."

The key is to express appreciation in ways that people want to receive it. Simply saying "thank you" is not enough. People need to be recognized in ways that are honest, authentic, specific and individualized to truly feel appreciated.

Johnson explains the five main ways that people feel appreciated, drawing from the concepts in Gary Chapman's "The 5 Love Languages" and Paul White's "The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace." He describes how leaders can understand their employees' "appreciation language" to provide recognition that is authentic and meaningful.

In a powerful closing statement, Johnson emphasizes that data consistently shows people are not primarily driven by extrinsic or "hygiene" factors like salary and benefits. The most valuable employees are those motivated by intrinsic factors. These individuals tend to leave workplaces where they don't feel appreciated, seeking environments that align with their values. This exodus often leaves behind those who are motivated by extrinsic rewards, which can lead to a toxic work culture. Employees who stay just for the paycheck are usually not the ones who drive the mission forward effectively.

Submitted by Marilyn Tiburski