Love Languages In The Workplace
When I think “love languages”, I usually imagine the ways that I accept and appreciate love from my significant other. I think we have all been conditioned to believe that the love languages are designed for a romantic partner, and how we can use them to make our love for the other person much deeper. BUT, have we ever stopped to think that, in the way that we love other people differently than romantically, we could use the love languages differently as well? I think love languages are applicable to various relationship types, such as friendships, familyships, and in today’s case, the relationship you have with your teammates!
So then…the question really is, what are your teammates’ love languages? To answer that, follow this link to the love languages quiz! Once everyone has discovered what works best for them, you will be able to apply the proper practices to their love language.
Without further adieu, let’s dive right into how you can use the five love languages to grow closer with the people you work with.
Words of Affirmation
This is probably the most applied love language in an office setting, just due to the fact that verbalizing achievements and accomplishments is the easiest way to compliment your teammates. For those whose love language is words of affirmation, they need to hear that they are appreciated from you. Make sure that when your teammate lends a helping hand, does a great job on a project, or seems to be feeling down, you tell them how awesome they are and how they make your office a better place to be. Shower these teammates with affirmations, and it will make them feel like they are on top of the world.
Acts of Service
This is one of the most popular love languages, because who DOESN’T like when someone steps in to help them without needing to ask? For those whose love language is acts of service, they want you to go out of your way to do something for them, whether that’s filing their paperwork for them, cleaning up their desk area, helping them set up a marketing event, or even opening the front door for them when they walk in. Making an effort to do the little things for this teammate in a way that will be helpful to them is going to ensure that they know you care.
Receiving Gifts
This may seem like a hard one to appease, but truly there are ways to make this teammate feel loved without having to break the bank. For those whose love language is receiving gifts, they want thoughtful gifts to make them feel cared for and appreciated. Thoughtful does not mean expensive! Things such as sticky notes with a sweet message, a used book of yours that they had mentioned wanting to read, their favorite pack of highlighters or pens, and even a mug you find at Target that reminds you of them will go such a long way when it comes to making this teammate feel loved.
Quality Time
This is not hard to accomplish in the workplace, given you are with your teammates most of the time anyways! Your teammates are like a second family, given that you are with them more than the people you live with at times. For those whose love language is quality time, we recommend spending extra time with this person, in a non-work setting! This could be taking them out to lunch during the work day, grabbing a drink after the day ends, or inviting them to ride with you to run a few errands for the property. That time spent with your teammates will make all the difference in showing how you care for them!
Physical Touch
While this one may be tricky to navigate, believe it or not, there are plenty of ways to appropriately display this love language! For those whose love language is physical touch, they need physical reassurance that they are cared for and appreciated. You can do this by giving high-fives, fist bumps, handshakes, elbow bumps, or even a pat on the back to the teammate who needs it. If someone is comfortable with it, even a hug during a hard time or after time apart can make this teammate feel loved and cared for.
To conclude, the love languages can be applicable in a variety of areas in one’s life, not just romantically. We can use these tools to make our teammates feel more loved and cared for than we ever thought possible. Having a team that is well-bonded and close will only help make those goals easier to reach, and the time you spend with them every day that much more enjoyable. Take the quiz and see how you can start applying these to your workplace environment every day! Happy Valentine’s Day, PCO!
