We all know that understanding love languages can transform romantic relationships by helping partners communicate better and feel more connected. But what if the same principles applied to your professional life? As workplaces increasingly value emotional intelligence alongside technical skills, one expert says a new approach is gaining traction: business “love languages.”
“It’s becoming increasingly common for employers to seek emotional intelligence as an important soft skill in their employees,” reveals business expert Jason Morris, owner and CEO of Profit Engine, a specialized link-building agency. “As a result, understanding and applying business love languages could open the door to better career opportunities.”
Below, Morris shares how integrating love language principles into your professional interactions can strengthen workplace relationships, improve collaboration, and open doors to new opportunities.
1. Words of Affirmation: Public Recognition and Praise
In a professional context, words of affirmation go beyond a simple “good job.” This love language involves genuinely acknowledging colleagues’ contributions, whether through public recognition in team meetings, thoughtful emails highlighting specific achievements, or verbal praise that celebrates both effort and results.
“Words of affirmation in the workplace create a culture where people feel valued for their contributions,” says Morris. “When you take time to recognize a colleague’s hard work publicly, you’re boosting their morale, you’re building trust, and demonstrating leadership qualities that managers notice.”
2. Acts of Service: Supporting Your Team
Helping teammates meet deadlines, volunteering for challenging projects, or stepping in to solve problems without being asked are all examples of acts of service. This could mean staying late to help a colleague finish a presentation, sharing your expertise to unblock someone’s project, or taking on extra tasks during busy periods.
“The most memorable professionals are those who help others succeed,” Morris explains. “When you consistently offer genuine support, you build a reputation as someone who elevates the entire team, which is exactly what companies look for in future leaders.”
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3. Gifts: Thoughtful Gestures That Show You Care
Workplace gifts don’t need to be expensive or elaborate. Small, thoughtful gestures like bringing coffee for a stressed colleague, leaving a personalized thank you note after a successful project, or remembering important details about teammates’ lives can make a significant impact.
“These small gestures demonstrate emotional intelligence and attention to detail,” says Morris. “A handwritten note thanking someone for their mentorship or a coffee run for the team working late shows you value people beyond their job titles.”
4. Quality Time: Being Present and Engaged
In professional settings, quality time means giving colleagues your full attention. This includes actively participating in meetings without checking your phone, scheduling one-on-one coffee chats with team members, offering to mentor junior colleagues, or simply being available when someone needs to talk through a challenge.
“Being genuinely present is rare in today’s distracted workplace,” Morris notes. “When you give someone your undivided attention, you’re showing respect and building meaningful professional relationships that can support your career growth.”
5. Physical Touch: Professional Non-Verbal Communication
While physical touch in the workplace requires some boundaries, professional physical cues play an important role in communication. Think confident handshakes, celebratory fist bumps after a team win, maintaining strong eye contact during conversations, leaning in to show active listening, and projecting confident posture during presentations.
“Non-verbal communication speaks volumes about your professionalism and confidence,” says Morris. “A firm but respectful handshake, good eye contact, and attentive body language signal that you’re engaged, trustworthy, and ready to take on responsibility.”
Integrating business love languages into your daily routine doesn’t require a complete overhaul of how you work. Start small by identifying which love language resonates most with your colleagues. Pay attention to how they respond to different interactions, he says.
“Set a daily goal to practice one love language. Maybe Monday is about offering genuine praise, Tuesday you focus on helping a teammate, and Wednesday you schedule quality time with someone. These small, consistent actions build over time,” Morris adds. “Be authentic. People can sense when gestures are forced or self-serving. Focus on genuinely connecting with colleagues and understanding what makes them feel valued. When you consistently demonstrate emotional intelligence through these practices, you’ll naturally stand out as someone ready for greater responsibility and leadership opportunities.”
Photo credit: Hiraman/iStock
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