Based on the concepts from the book "The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace" by Gary Chapman and Paul White, this article will explore how acts of service, one of the five love languages, can be used to show appreciation to ERG leaders. These leaders often work hard to promote diversity and inclusion in their organizations, making it important to offer acts of service in a way that is helpful and respectful. Here are some tips to consider when doing an act of service for ERG leader appreciation:

1. Ask before you help: It's always a good idea to ask if someone wants help before offering it. This helps to avoid creating tension, as some people may feel uncomfortable accepting help they didn't ask for. However, don't be discouraged if the person initially says no. Follow up with more specific ways on how you can help. For example, "I have 15 minutes. I'm glad to help you send out some messages. Would you like some?" This way, you're being more specific and making it easier for the person to accept and say yes.
2. Don't assume what they need: It's important to ask questions to determine how you can best help the person. Don't assume that you know what they want or need. They may have specific tasks they want help with, or they may prefer to work on something alone.
3. Do it their way: When offering to help, it's important to ask how they would like you to do it. Don't offer to help and then use it as an opportunity to show them how to do it better. This can be particularly important for perfectionists who may have specific ways of doing things. By doing it their way, they'll feel more at ease knowing that you have the instructions to execute. This also applies to ERG leaders who may not have clear instructions on how to execute their roles. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) can be helpful in providing clear instructions.
4. See it through: When you commit to helping your ERG leaders, it's important to see things through. This can help to gain their trust and respect. With a lot of turnover among ERG program managers and diversity leaders, there may already be a level of distrust within the program. Seeing things through can help to rebuild trust and show your commitment to the cause. If you can't see it through, at least give them a time commitment that you have to dedicate to the project. This way, when you do have to focus on other priorities, it will have already been communicated with them.

Acts of service can be a great way to show appreciation for ERG leaders, but it's important to do it in a way that is helpful and respectful. Ask before you help, don't assume what they need, do it their way, and see it through. By following these tips, you can help to build trust and respect within your ERG program and show your commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion.