The Art of Loving Relationships: The Five Love Languages for Projects?

To continue the series on loving relationships and the success of my previous Nine Steps to a Loving Relationship article, let's talk about applying an interesting book and concept from author Gary Chapman... "The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate" to our lives in an interesting and fun way.

The book came out in 1992. It received a fair amount of attention (I'm sure you could find it at your local library or bookstore) but it's difficult to say how many people are practicing the concepts within it's pages. With less than 5% of the population capable of comprehending written text at a college level in the US it's easy to surmise that many have not gotten the memo. Unless it's covered in a popular Netflix series, a hit movie, or discussed by a "A-list" celebrity, this valuable information goes mostly unnoticed. And that's an opportunity!

I believe there's a great deal of merit to this idea and I certain would recommend spending some time practicing the recognition and application of this concept. If nothing else, it could be fun!  

And this is where it comes to one of my favorite subjects... Projects. More specifically helping people develop Excellent Projects that exceed expectations. And let me tell you this is where the fun begins! Love and Projects don't seem like they'd be very compatable, but that's where those who think that would be wrong. Let me explain further...

Check out this diagram of what I like to call... The Six Elements of Excellent Project Management.

Take note of the double sided arrow that goes between Love and Organization. These build off each other... and although that may not be obvious, it does! Spending the time organizing things leads to better communication of how things work, this leads to the opportunity to recognize how each task, milestone, subtask, etc... relates to each other and to the whole. More specifically how each individual and team with those responsibilities contributes. This is where appreciation and affection for the beauty of excellence also happens and vice versa.

How might that be accomplished? 

This is where the Five Love Languages come into Play! Check out this diagram!

To be brief, you don't need to know which language works for a specific person or individual if you take the time to practice these across the board... Over time you will start to see where people gravitate and express their own preferences. By putting this on the table, you allow them the opportunity to make their own choices. Beyond that, it can be fun. That's why there's question marks in the last boxes... it can stimulate creativity!

On one of my first large multi-family development projects as a Superintendent, once every few weeks I would buy lunch for everyone on the job that day. It was a gift to the guys that showed I cared about them and the work they did. It grew into much more! It gave guys the chance to talk to each other... brick layers talking to plumbers, site workers talking to drywallers, etc... (Quality Time) I also took the opportunity to recognize those who had contributed creative ideas that we had incorporated into the plans as changes (Word of Affirmation and Acts of Service). Each of those individuals got recognized in front of all the others and certainly received a pat on the back (Physical Touch). It was so successful, the subcontractors started sponsoring the lunch and we started doing it every week.

Needless to say, it was a great place to work. People showed up early and when the monthly visits from the Bankers, Architects and Principles occured, I'd often hear comments from them about how unique this project was... they had "...never seen anything like it!" The project exceeded the quality expectations by far, the schedule was cut by more than half, and the budget, well, we made a lot more than expected by far... as the general contractor... and the subcontractors too!

Love and Projects do go together!

Respirar Acapulco is a blog that is also an effort to meet and collaborate with like-minded people. Knowledgeable, trustworthy, inspired people coming together with the willing and friendly communities of Acapulco. Which is strategically located, fertile ground for entrepreneurs, has a low cost of living, a high quality of life, a healthy culture, and much more. Here, we can demonstrate and breathe life into the tremendous possibilities for truth, freedom, and prosperity for all who desire it, together. If this sound interesting...You are invited to participate! Join us!.