In the past, many supervisors have interpreted employees’ desire for quality time as an inappropriate desire to be their friend, or an effort to “get in good” with the boss in order to have undue influence and receive favors. Our research indicates that this is seldom the attitude of the employee whose primary appreciation language is Quality Time. This employee simply wants to feel that what they are doing is significant and that their supervisor values their contribution. It is these brief but genuine expressions of interest in what they are doing that makes them feel appreciated.
I can see how I misunderstood this as a manager and tried to be a friend, but also how it has been misinterpreted the other way as well.
