The classic five appreciation languages, as decided by Gary Chapman in his books The 5 Languages of Appreciation, are fairly obvious ways to show your employees that you value them – words of affirmation, tangible gifts, acts of service, quality time, and physical touch. So, how does that translate to LDS Millennials and what would we change if we were to write our own list?
Elder Holland gave us an insight into just what an LDS Millennial is in his talk at BYU Hawaii Becoming True Millennials in Jan 2016.
‘The term Millennial is perfect for you if that term reminds you of who you really are and what your purpose in life really is. A True Millennial is one who was taught and did teach the gospel of Jesus Christ premortally and who made covenants with our Heavenly Father there about courageous things—even morally courageous things—that you would do while here on earth.’
So with all of that in mind, let’s make our own list…
5 ways to show LDS Millennials your appreciation
- Value
So much of what we do is ridiculed and demeaned, that simply recognizing our efforts as important is something that would mean a great deal. That could be by engaging in meaningful conversation about it, encouraging us to continue or by sharing our projects with other people (like this article…hint, hint)
- Tangible, meaningful gifts
I’ve added the word ‘meaningful’ to this item, as this generation ages I’ve seen a growing trend in personalised and niche gift items. Products that before would have been only known about by the ‘few’ because of their specific interests have become more and more readily available. We have such quick and easy access to a wide range of ‘off the shelf’ products that gifts given with real thought and effort show us a great deal more gratitude and care. This doesn’t have to be expensive or hard to find and can be done without intense personal knowledge too – Know they like to read? Grab a gift card for the local bookstore. Or, you know, grab your favourite priesthood holder a lovely case for his Oil Vaults…
- Experiences
There have been many studies and reports about the growing ‘experience’ industry in recent years, we’re spending more of our money on time and memories than we are on material goods. Especially, as LDS Millennials we’re much more likely to really value spending time making memories so take us out for dinner at a new cuisine, or book employee team-building days in a laser-quest centre rather than a stuffy boardroom with trust falls.
- Words
This one is simple, and I think transcends all generations. It’s probably the easiest way to show your appreciation and if you actually mean the words, it’s incredibly effective too. Tell your employees, friends, enemies and loved ones that you appreciate them and the things they do. Specificity helps, I think, it’s much nicer to be told that you did something particularly well than to be told that you’re generally a good person, but that could easily be a personal preference and it wouldn’t hurt to do both. Personally, I really respond to written words more than spoken so a quick text or email just saying thanks is enough for me.
- Acts of Service
This one needs no explanation, surely? Especially as LDS Members? How do we show people that we love them, support them and are grateful for them? We help them when they ask, even when they don’t ask. At work or at home this could be simply taking over some of the smaller jobs while they focus on the big task in front of them, as friends this could be as easy as picking up their kids from school or dropping those extra carrots you had in the fridge on Sunday afternoon.
Now, these are all my humble opinion, don’t take them as anything even slightly scientific. What are the 5 ways you like to show people that you appreciate them? Let’s chat in the comments.
