By Melanie Bazile (Anderson), Director of Innovation & Expansion
Several years ago, Compass made a strong commitment to learning about and investing in employee engagement. Our leadership is dedicated to closing the gap where employees may feel unappreciated, even though supervisors are making efforts to show they value their teams. We understand the vital connection between engagement and appreciation, which is why we integrated “The Five Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace” into our organizational culture.
Tangible Gifts
This quarter we will highlight Tangible Gifts as an appreciation language.
Years ago, I mentioned to a coworker that I love See’s candy but that I especially like milk chocolate Peanut Crunch. A while later, a small box of ALL Peanut Crunch showed up for me. I didn’t even know you could personalize a box, and I was over the moon! Not only was it chocolate (which most people who know me know is my favorite food group) but it was exactly what I would buy if I splurged on myself, and it meant that Jen listened and remembered. I felt so seen!!
A Small Number
The percentage of people in the workplace who share that their primary language of appreciation is Tangible Gifts is much smaller than the other appreciation languages. This is interesting considering most company recognition programs emphasize gift giving of some sort. However, those Company gifts will often miss the mark for Tangible Gift folks because they tend to be generic, with the same gift given to all employees. If you’re someone who celebrates their birthday for an entire month, or counts down the days until the holidays, you might be the type of person who enjoys and values the experience of gifts.
What It Really Means
Sometimes Tangible Gifts as an appreciation language is misunderstood and misrepresented. The gift is a symbol of affection, connection and appreciation through a physical vehicle of communication. It does not mean the person is materialistic. The gift’s value in terms of emotional significance is what matters most.
Gift-Givers
Also, people who enjoy gift-giving are not necessarily those whose primary appreciation language is Tangible Gifts. It is usually true that Tangible Gifts folks ARE excellent gift-givers because they understand how a gift is a sentiment carrier and go to great lengths and thought to choose the right gift for each person individually.
It’s the thought that counts.
Just as with other languages of appreciation, it is about what the person values. Remembering that Robert is a die-hard Raiders fan is part of what makes that bobblehead of his favorite player so rewarding and meaningful.
The Personal Touch
A personal touch is key. To people who feel valued by receiving a gift, it matters that you took time to think about what they would like. Those who do not understand the true spirit of gift giving often miss the mark in their attempts to give gifts to others. They fail to understand that it is not solely receiving a gift that matters. Rather, it’s only effective when the gift shows that the giver has spent time and energy thinking about the gift.
Not Just a Coffee Mug
Most people aren’t that impressed with a gift of a coffee mug. Unless you are Jen, and the mug is from a Starbucks locale she doesn’t have in her collection. Similarly, when you go on vacation to Hawaii and you hastily stop at the airport store on your way home and grab the $12 pack of 20 plastic keychains, it likely won’t be valued by this group of people. In fact, it could do damage to your coworker who interprets it as obligatory and therefore indicative of how you care for them very little. The gift may or may not be an actual thing, it could be an experience, something that shows you took the time to find something meaningful to them. And a gift does not have to be expensive to be meaningful.
Pay Attention
If you have a coworker who experiences appreciation through gifts, pay attention during conversation to make mental or literal notes about what they are interested and involved in. “You remembered that?” Translation=you paid attention to me and this gift shows I am important to you. Don’t just give food, give their favorite food or a treat that is only available from a specific place.
Action Ideas
Here are a few ideas and ways to show appreciation to a coworker through Tangible Gifts:
- Ticket to an experience they have been talking about or wanting for a long time
- Take time to explain the thought behind the gift in the card
- Jade loves coffee. Don’t presume and send a digital Starbucks gift card. Maybe she loves the local coffee shop or prefers Dutch Bros or Peets.
- Meal kit or service for when they have been working extra-long hours and you know they hate to cook but are kind of a foodie.
- Give a gift that is related to a memory shared with the receiver, so the connection lives on.
- Do you have an inside joke with the person- give a gift that captures that.
- Give personalized gifts- with monogram, name or nick name or a favorite phrase.
- Some people will value a handmade gift because of the time you personally invested in making it.
- Give something that captures a shared experience such as a framed photo or scrapbook of a shared adventure.
- Find the person’s favorite treats and snacks, making sure it is the exact flavor or style they prefer.
- Send something as a surprise, and perhaps just because!
- Plan ahead…last minute may miss the mark.
- Step up your presentation game, make the wrapping extra special.
- Listen and follow verbal hints…they want you to follow the breadcrumbs.
- Make a personalized work project playlist.