{"id":21126,"date":"2020-02-10T09:00:28","date_gmt":"2020-02-10T15:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/?p=21126"},"modified":"2020-02-06T12:25:59","modified_gmt":"2020-02-06T18:25:59","slug":"when-should-you-not-communicate-appreciation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/blog\/when-should-you-not-communicate-appreciation\/","title":{"rendered":"When Should You NOT Communicate Appreciation?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

While we obviously encourage leaders and colleagues to show appreciation to their coworkers, and seek to train teams to do so effectively, there are times and situations when we recommend not<\/u> communicating appreciation (or, at least, to wait<\/em>).<\/em> That is, communicating encouragement to your colleagues is sometimes not<\/u> the best course of action to take. In fact, doing so can actually backfire and create more<\/u> problems relationally.<\/p>\n

Here are some circumstances when you should reconsider whether or not to proactively communicate appreciation to those with whom you work:<\/p>\n

When a relationship is tense.<\/strong> If you are in a work relationship that has been tense in the past, trying to communicate appreciation without acknowledging the previous issues will most likely lead to a cool reception of the message, as well as questions about your authenticity.<\/p>\n

When the receiver of your appreciation has been \u201cburned\u201d by others.<\/strong> Unfortunately, a number of people have had difficult lives \u2013 growing up in dysfunctional families, experiencing abusive relationships, or being mistreated by previous employers. Individuals who have experienced these situations are often self-protective and distrustful. They see any positive actions by others as an attempt to take advantage of them. In these cases, taking time to establish some trust with them.<\/p>\n

When you change too quickly.<\/strong> While it is good to implement positive changes, some individuals may change their behavior too abruptly \u2013 to the point that others around them don\u2019t recognize this \u201cnew person.\u201d For instance, a formerly cool, distant supervisor might try too hard to be more outgoing and warmer and praise their team members more, but it seems to others that they are \u2018putting on\u2019 a face.<\/p>\n

When your communication varies significantly in different settings.<\/strong> If you chew out one of your team members in private conversation and then later praise them in front of others, you can appear two-faced and as if you are only trying to impress others, especially if the message is given in front of higher-ups.<\/p>\n

When your words say one thing and your non-verbal communication says another.<\/strong> It\u2019s a little like the child who is forced by their parents to say, \u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d when their tone of voice, lack of eye contact, and angry expression don\u2019t convince you they mean it. Expressing appreciation when you don\u2019t<\/em> really appreciate the other person will typically show in facial expression and tone of voice, and come across as insincere.<\/p>\n

When the message of appreciation follows staff layoffs or pay reductions.<\/strong> When an organization or company has to downsize because of financial difficulties, or if staff salaries have had to be reduced, efforts at encouragement or being upbeat will fall flat. Employees are hurting, anxious, and fearful for the future, and may be grieving the loss of close colleagues. If a supervisor tries to be overly positive in the midst of difficult times, they can be perceived as insensitive, disingenuous and fake.<\/p>\n

How do you avoid these pitfalls?<\/strong><\/p>\n

1.Check your motives.<\/strong> Try to only communicate authentic, genuine appreciation. Don\u2019t do it \u201cbecause you are supposed to.\u201d<\/p>\n

2.Be aware of context.<\/strong> While expressing appreciation or encouragement is usually beneficial, there are times it stings and waiting is a better choice.<\/p>\n

3.Check in with a trusted colleague.<\/strong> If in doubt \u2013 either about your timing, your message, or how you might be received \u2013 first touch base with someone who knows you and the situation well, and who will give you honest feedback. They may be able to give you some tips on how or when would be best to share your message.<\/p>\n

4.If in doubt, wait.<\/strong> Almost always, taking time to assess a situation and make sure that the message will be received well is worth the wait. A delayed message communicated well and received well is far better than a rushed message that misfires.<\/p>\n

Who is most at risk for trying to communicate appreciation when they shouldn\u2019t? Leaders and colleagues who are blindly \u201cgoing through the motions\u201d of showing appreciation to others (sort of like \u201cchecking the box\u201d) without paying attention to their true feelings (or lack of them). And individuals who are almost religiously committed to being positive and showing appreciation, while ignoring the context of the situation or circumstances. Take a moment to stop, check your motives and assess what is going on in the person\u2019s life and your response will almost always be appropriate.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"While we obviously encourage leaders and colleagues to show appreciation to their coworkers, and seek to train teams to do so effectively, there are times and situations when we recommend not communicating appreciation (or, at least, to wait). That is, communicating encouragement to your colleagues is sometimes not the best course of action to take…. Continue reading…<\/a>","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[160,133,198,21,501,118,2223],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhen Should You NOT Communicate Appreciation? - Appreciation at Work<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Are there times when you shouldn't try to show appreciation to your employees and coworkers? 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