Understanding Love Languages in the workplace
Are you speaking your employee’s
Love Language?
For more than 3 decades, Love Languages have been used as a way to understand a partner in a relationship, encourage effective communication and ultimately ensure a happy and fulfilled partnership.
Dr Gary Chapman, a marriage counsellor, developed the 5 Love Languages in his book The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts; but we believe Love Languages aren’t just restricted to personal relationships and that truly understanding each employee’s needs and providing a working environment that speaks to their ‘Love Language’ is the key to employee attraction and retention.
Praise, recognition and positive feedback are all ways of motivating and rewarding individuals who are driven by words of affirmation.
Words of Affirmation
Does your employee respond well to praise? Are they motivated by positive feedback and accolades, or maybe they just need a simple ‘thank you’ or ‘well done’?
Taking the time to proactively thank and/or praise employees (publicly or 1:1) can be highly motivational and well-received
by those who love words of affirmation.
But sometimes words are not always enough and employees will often have more than one love language.
Encouraging inter-colleague support, offering employee development plans and providing continuous opportunities to learn and grow is a very attractive proposition for some individuals.
Acts of Service
Do you offer the opportunity for learning and development?
Are you proactive and supportive in developing your employees and offering opportunities for progression?
Providing the opportunity for employees to learn and develop from management, colleagues or via external providers can be the key to enhancing and retaining your talent pool.
Any opportunity for employees to gain 1:1 time, your undivided attention and the chance to be heard is an incredibly powerful tool for management to utilise.
Quality Time
Do you offer you employees enhanced leave policies or flexible working schemes? Perhaps you operate an ‘Open Door’ policy affording employees the time to talk 1:1?
A good work/life balance is a major priority for the vast majority of employees.
Companies that take a balanced approach and offer benefits that can enhance the work/life balance will reap the rewards.
An ‘Open Door’ policy can promote open and honest conversations at all levels and can make employees feel valued and supported.
A well considered and flexible benefits package that works for all employees can both attract and retain talent.
Receiving Gifts
Going above and beyond the standard ‘benefits’ package and offering unique and exciting perks is a major attraction for candidates and a definite winner in retaining employees.
Companies who enhance their offerings to employees automatically elevate their employer brand.
Offering flexible benefits packages, which employees can tailor to their individual needs, is an effective strategy for attracting and retaining talent.
Add in extra ‘perks’ and your staff may find it very hard to walk away.
Mutual respect and recognised boundaries are key when considering the physical touch love language.
(Non) Physical Touch
Like cogs in a well-oiled machine, a positive team environment that promotes a collaborative, supportive and productive way of working is key to employee happiness.
Add in a welcoming handshake, a celebratory ‘high-five’ or even hugs between colleagues, and physical touch (when consensual) can lead to a positive experience in the workplace.
Being recognised and rewarded can ensure a happy and successful team.
Are you speaking their language?
Taking the time to understand your employee’s love language can prove to be a game-changer, ensuring they feel heard, valued and rewarded.
Better yet, speak all 5 love languages to all of your team members and your talent attraction and retention will soar!
