How Do I Show Someone I Care About Them At Work?

Jason Wee answers.

Recently, when I expressed gratitude to my colleague by giving her a cake for helping me with a task, she declined vehemently. I later learnt that she values words of affirmation, so an appreciative text or note would probably have been better received. How can identifying and understanding our colleagues' love languages contribute to improving workplace interactions?

In his 1992 book, The 5 Love Languages: The Secret To Love That Lasts, author Gary Chapman discovered that effective communication relied on the five fundamental types of love languages: words of affirmation, quality time, gifts, acts of service, and physical touch.

Chapman's insights extend beyond romantic love, applying to all types of relationships. The five languages of love can be used in our dayto-day communication, and in building better relationships with our colleagues.

Out of these, there is at least one primary language that appeals to an individual. We are all special in our own ways, and we have different needs. Some people appreciate words of affirmation better, while others may prefer quality time.