Have you ever started the day with a to-do list a mile long and a schedule full of meetings? Do you feel like you always have a lot to do, but there’s never enough time to get it all done?
As the leader of your company, your attention is constantly being pulled in many different directions. You’re going to overlook some things, but you don’t want to drop the ball on what’s most important.
While you might miss a meeting or leave one item off your to-do list, you can’t miss the boat when it comes to your employees. Building relationships with the people who keep your business running is critically important.
It can be tough to show your employees you care, especially if they’re working remotely. These four strategies will help you keep your employees happy and ready to work.
Show You’re Available And Fair
Employees want to know that they can come to their boss if they have a problem. Whether it’s a tech problem, a coworker problem, or something else, it doesn’t matter. Employees need to know that they can count on their boss to be available to them. While they should ask their direct supervisor first, they should also know that you’re available.
You can share your calendar with your employees, or you can tell them exactly which hours are best to come and see you for help with problems. Make it clear that you don’t consider their concerns a waste of your time.
Fairness is an extremely important quality in a manager. Emphasize that you value everyone being treated with the support that they need. Ask your employees to come to you with any concerns about fairness.
If you want to show your employees that you care, limit required overtime and provide excellent benefits. Take care of the basics first, and fairly, and you’ll be on your way to establishing those important relationships.
Be Appreciative
There’s no doubt about it: without your employees, your business would not run. Your staff is crucial to your success, and you need to let them know.
Always reward employees for a job well done. While the reward will depend on you and the employee, a written thank you card is always a good idea. It’s a memento that they can keep in their desk to provide motivation on difficult days and to encourage them to keep working hard during slower times.
Verbally recognize one employee during a set time period. You could follow the traditional employee-of-the-month schedule, or you could choose to recognize one employee each quarter.
Whenever you recognize an employee, make sure you are specific. State what was most notable about their work. For example, you could say something like “Your follow-through with difficult customers has helped us keep large accounts.” That sort of compliment is much better than, “Your hard work keeps us afloat.”
You should also check in with employees who are experiencing a challenging time, either in their professional role or in their personal life. The fact that they continue to show up in the face of difficulties is important and should be recognized just as much as successes should be.
Schedule Social Events
The population continues to increase and there are more people on Earth than ever before. Because of technology, we can connect with each other more than ever before. However, online connections with strangers or acquaintances can’t take the place of real connections.
While some might view their work as “just a job,” it’s important to give all employees the opportunity to make connections at work outside of their roles. Social events help employees feel connected and motivated to work hard for their work community.
If your staff is working remotely, you can schedule a Zoom call that’s entirely social. Make sure to research games to play beforehand. Set a time limit and encourage employees to bring snacks and drinks.
If your staff is working in-person, then you should schedule a themed get-together during work hours. It’s a great idea to get a break from the office/the building and go out somewhere, if possible. Bring game ideas as a backup plan if natural socializing needs a nudge. This is also a great opportunity to recognize the employee of the month or quarter. Try to schedule these events on a regularly recurring basis.
Provide Perks That Elevate The Environment
The days of boring office environments are over. It’s time to think about how perks and amenities can motivate employees to have a positive attitude and to work hard.
Studies have proven that open offices, where no one can close the door to their office or has the privacy of a cubicle, create problems. Coworkers distract each other with conversation, and there’s too much noise for real, deep work.
That doesn’t mean that you can’t offer amenities, though. A snack bar is a great perk that shows employees you care. A coffee bar is another great amenity. Some of the giant tech companies have nap rooms, but that might not be the best solution for your business.
It’s also a great idea to give employees the opportunity to walk outside. A walking path allows employees to take a quick break, breathe some fresh air, and come back to their desk rejuvenated.
Take a good look at your office furniture, too. Is it comfortable and supportive, or outdated and flawed? If you can, look into upgrading the oldest furniture at leas.t
Wrapping It Up
To show your employees you care, make it evident that you are available, do your best to be fair, show your appreciation directly, schedule social events, and provide perks that elevate your office environment.
Embracing these four steps will show your employees that you want to help them succeed in their careers. Most importantly, your actions will show that you care about them as not just an employee, but as a person.