In this fast paced world, there is a great neglect of the people who are part of the workforce.
Many business owners and managers often think that the people who are part of their company are just there to fill in the need to get the job done. True in a way, but one thing that should be considered and remembered is that these are people who spend most part of their waking moments in the office.
With many hours spent in the office, relationships are built. Good working relationships will make the people in the office, also known as the workforce, work more, produce more, and stay longer.
If your staff feels that they are not appreciated, taken for granted, or undermined, they will leave in a heartbeat. No second thoughts, no looking back. With the 8-10 hours they spend at the office, 5-day workweek, a good working environment is something every worker, a manager, an office clerk, or a janitor will look for.
When people feel that they are valued, given credit, and taken care of, they in turn will value, credit, and take care of the company which they belong to. Overall, this produces good morale, exceptional work, and great camaraderie between the people in the workplace.
Here are a few ways on how to show your staff that you value them:
Make time for your staff. If your staff knows that you, their boss, are willing to make time for them, they will feel valued and appreciated. This is an important factor since everybody is just too busy. Making time to talk to them, answering their questions, doing quick huddles, or giving them words of encouragement will make the people in your company function better.
Show them what sets you apart. Be as creative as you can when it comes to making your staff happy. If you are the type that gives perks, like a welcome cake for the newbie, the mid-year company outing, or the amazing end of the year bash, all praises to you. You are on the right track. Your staff will love you.
The little things do matter. A simple email at the end of the year thanking your staff for the amazing job they have done is highly appreciated. Your staff will see you as a caring individual and as someone who values them.
Have their back. If your staff knows that you are fair and that you have their back, they will show loyalty to you. Many workers leave because they are often neglected and taken for granted. Sides are taken, office politics are abound. Resolve this as soon as possible. Make an investigation if necessary, but make sure that your staff is treated fairly. Remember that a nail can hold up a very large frame. A great staff treated as a valued individual is worth his weight in gold.
Recognize them. After a few hundred or so staff, they all start to look alike. But make sure that you recognize the achievement of your staff. Not as a whole but as an individual. As the saying goes, “Give credit where credit is due.” It does not matter if it is one of the supervisors from that back office that you barely remember existed, the janitor, a newbie, or that on-the-job trainee that you hardly recognize. They all deserve a pat on the back. Shake their hand, go to their station, or congratulate them for a job well done. Pizza would not be bad either.
Be someone that they can relate to. Gone are the days where there is a separation between the masses. Now, boss and staff work harmoniously in an open-spaced office with ergonomically correct furnishing. If you see that your team has a problem, talk to them and help them figure out the best way to handle the situation. Try to remember that you are human and that once upon a time you made mistakes. Share experiences with them. Tell them how you conquered the world through perseverance, hard work, etc. Learn to motivate the people that make your company function.
There is a big difference between a manager and a leader. A manager oversees what is happening on a day to day basis. There is control and there is supremacy. A leader inspires the people who are following him. He motivates and encourages the people under his wing to be better since he lead by example.
Valuing the people that you work with shows great respect. This is something that is greatly needed in a time where everything is just too fast. Being appreciated, being valued will make people go above and beyond what is expected of them. Do not be afraid to show your team that you care. This will set your company apart from the usual run of the mill company. Remember: Keep your staff happy and they will be the best that they can be.