Honor Your Administrator in the Best Way Possible!
Good administrators do what they do, so you can do what you do better! Take time to honor your office administrator this April 24. Celebrate your star employee this Administrative Professionals’ Day in the “language” they speak best.
Did you know there are different ways we accept affirmation and respect? Author Dr. Gary Chapman defined 5 basic “languages” that we all speak to express and receive appreciation. Dr. Chapman calls them languages for a reason.
Picture this: someone is speaking Italian to someone who speaks German and expects the other to respond. We all know the outcome – the German-speaking man will not understand one word and will fail to respond. That’s exactly how showing affirmation can be. We might think we are speaking German, but Italian is coming out!
Here are the 5 languages of appreciation and some ideas to outdo your administrator with honor this April 24:
- Receiving Gifts – If your administrator speaks the language of gifts, it doesn’t need to cost much to have an impact. A simple token of gratitude will go a long way. For example, have his Starbucks order waiting on his desk when he comes in. Add a gift card so it will be the gift that keeps on giving.
- Quality Time – Spend time talking with your administrator today. Consider taking a department out to lunch in his honor. Even if it’s only 30 minutes, do your best to unplug and be present. Quality attention is important to quality-time people.
- Encouraging Words – Acknowledging with your words is a powerful way to appreciate the hard work he or she has done. Consider writing a kind email to thank her or acknowledging her at an upcoming meeting. Specificity is important to someone who receives affirmation through words. So don’t just thank her, let her know why. Write a note with the top ten reasons you appreciate him or her.
- Physical Touch – Greet your administrator in the morning with a welcoming handshake or appropriate pat on the shoulder while thanking him for his commitment and great attitude. Give a gift card for a facial or message.
- Acts of Service – Many administrators are wired to receive affirmation in this way due to the nature of the job. Be on the lookout for things you can “do” for her today. Consider publicly commending her at a meeting or finalizing the raise you were putting through. Volunteer for their favorite charity.
Appreciation languages aren’t written on resumes, so how can you find out where your employees line up? Two great ways to determine are:
- How they give affirmation, and
- What they complain about.
Did she give out holiday presents? She might be acts of service or gifts. Do you find that he enjoys chatting in the elevator? He’s likely quality time. Also, the reverse is true – we often complain about what we desire. If your assistant pointed out how rude her family was for not bringing anything back from the Bahamas, chances are she’s gifts.
Communicating encouragement to your staff can strengthen your team, develop a positive workplace culture, and sharpen your communication skills as a leader. Being in charge of an office team is no easy task. Learning to better “speak” each employee’s language is a wonderful way to value and affirm your staff.
