How often do you think about if your employees are happy with their job? We’re not just talking about the paycheck and various perks they get (though those are important too), but how they genuinely feel about the work they do.
There are many types of leaders, but only the best ones are able to grasp the importance of their workers coming to the office ready to actually make a difference. Making your employees happy will result in the improvement of overall effectiveness in the working environment, as well as in better interpersonal relations.
Here are 10 great ways to keep your employees happy.
1. Start With Yourself
What kind of picture of yourself are you sending to your employees? If you are all-work-no-play, always strict and leave zero leeway for mistakes or innovation, you can be sure that your workers won’t be overjoyed when arriving to their office. The truth is you are the epicenter of your company, meaning that the tone and the energy of the people in it depend heavily on you. Also, think about your behavior and body language. There’s always room for a change from which could benefit both you and your employees.
2. Let Your Employees Know What’s Going On
One of the things that many people complain about their workplace is that they aren’t really sure what’s happening in the company most of the time. They are informed only about most important events, but aren’t really clued in about general workings and how they fit into them. Try granting a bit more information about what’s going on in the company, as much as you consider is prudent to share. This small gesture can get you a long way, because every person of the staff will feel more important and trusted by seeing their part in the clockwork mechanism that is your business.
3. Micromanagement? Don’t do it!
We just can’t accentuate this enough. Yes, your input is definitely valuable, but you should know when to stop. Not leaving any wiggle-room for your employees in their tasks completely shuts down their creativity and turns any assignment into a chore. Try to inspire your staff, even when it comes to most tedious of tasks. Also, if there is a project any of your employees is passionate about, let them pursue it, even if for just a few working hours weekly. You’ll notice their overall improvement almost instantly.
4. Praise Your Employees When They’ve Done Well
Another characteristic we don’t see often enough in our leaders. Somehow, people believe that praising someone for a job well done will make them look weak or the employee will start thinking too much of himself/herself. In reality, the opposite happens. When you see that someone’s doing a good job, mention it clearly and watch them swell with pride. Your words will also spur them on in wanting more of your good opinion and performing even better.
5. One Size Doesn’t Fit All
Even though it’s easier, you shouldn’t always look at your staff as a one organism. Instead, try individual approach and have one-on-one conversations that don’t always have to concern something bad they’ve done. Maybe just stop by their office from time to time for a chat, allow them to tell you a bit about what they’re working on, how it’s coming together and find out more about the people that work for you. All of them will see your interest, not to mention they’ll feel more important and appreciated.
6. Improve The Working Environment
This begins with creating a humane working space. Unfortunately, too many of us are stuck in cubicles with fluorescent lights softly killing our will to work. Try to make your office space as light as it can possible be, and if it’s natural light, all the batter. Bring in plants, let your staff personalize their working areas so that they can feel safe and well in their own space.
7. Listen To What They Have To Say
Be it an important company-wide decision, or just a complaint they have to tell you about, don’t dismiss your employees’ voice. Ask them for their opinion, sincerely deliberate on their suggestions and make the most of them. This way you’re in a win-win situation – not only will people working for you feel trusted and valued, but you can also gain some good insight and thoughts for whatever situation you’re handling.
8. Don’t Be Afraid To Challenge Your Employees
Nothing says “trust” more than giving an important assignment to an aspiring employee that’s just waiting for an opportunity to show his/her worth. Also, if you believe that someone in your staff aren’t fulfilling their potential, set a new challenge for them, something that will make them work very hard, but the rewards will be worth it. Aside from material gain, your employee will feel they’ve earned your trust and you will have a great worker in your ranks.
9. Teambuilding Is A Must!
Investing in retreats, social activities and all forms of teambuilding is necessary and it will do loads of good for social dynamics of the company as a whole. One of the best (and easiest) ways to deal with social aspect of your staff is arranging frequent happy hours, during which you can also mingle with your employees in a more relaxed atmosphere.
10. Learn More About Who Works For You
This doesn’t mean you checking every detail about them available on social media, and their average number of Instagram likes, but rather engaging with them face to face. If you’re running a small business, make time for all of your employees, take them out for a coffee or lunch and have a normal conversation, not necessarily business-related. If your company is bigger, then work closely with your managers, so that you know them, and they know all the people working for you.
Download the eBook and learn how to use neuroscience to attract the right talent, retain high-performing employees and foster collaborative teams.
About the author:
Adam Ferraresi’s biggest passions in life are everything concerning World Wide Web and writing. This 23-year-old web developer is stationed in Dallas, TX where he spends his time working and often writing interesting articles for wefollowtech.com. Beside from being a tech aficionado, Adam spends his free time listening to music and playing basketball.
Image licensed from Depositphotos.com
Leave A Comment