So, one of the many things this pandemic changed about the way everyone works is that even appropriate physical touch (handshakes, first bumps, high fives) as a way of showing love and appreciation at work is off the table.
Substitutes like elbow bumps and a quick bow from a safe distance (like what the Japanese do) have taken the place of these gestures.
For those of us that now depend almost entirely on virtual huddles, the use of emoji also helps. (For some of us who associated emoji with casual exchanges, this took some getting used to!) 🙌💯💙
An important point that Gary Chapman and Paul White made in their book, “The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace,” is that while both are important, recognition and appreciation aren’t the same thing. (This was the work-appropriate version of the 1992 bestseller “The 5 Love Languages.”)
How are we letting our teams know that they’re doing #WorkWeLove and, more importantly, that we appreciate and value them even when they’re going through a challenging or low-energy slump, when their performance isn’t quite up to their usual level?
Thanks so much Adrian for the time and insights you shared with the tribe in last Friday’s event!