If you run a company then you’ll know that having happy, healthy employees is the key to financial success. To attract the best people, promising future job satisfaction is, nine times out of ten, more important than offering a high salary. Contentment in your job comes in many forms; feeling part of a team, being wanted and appreciated, and feeling like you’re making a difference in the world, are just a few key components that make up the perfect role.
This job satisfaction, if fostered correctly, ultimately leads to more loyal workforce, increased productivity and brand positivity. – and who doesn’t want that? So, getting your staff content, motivated and engaged is crucial to company prosperity. With that in mind, here are 4 IDEAL ways to engage your staff.
GETTING TO KNOW YOU
If all you know about your staff is things you’ve gleaned from their C.V, then it’s time to reassess your approach to approachability. Simply declaring that your door is always open isn’t enough. It’s time to hit the floor and show an interest; remember birthdays and names of family members, ask questions rather than talking about yourself, actually listen.
The reward for taking the time to show an interest will be conscientious, loyal workers. In knowing what makes your employees tick outside of the office, you can make your staff feel appreciated and individual, which fosters an atmosphere of creativity and freedom of expression. Little gestures like buying your staff a cup of coffee and giving them a thank you note can do wonders to boost moral. Just avoid any boss based ‘banter’ – not cool, not endearing, and certainly not productive.
TRAIN, TEACH AND MENTOR
Yes, you offer a handsome salary and a great little parking space out front, but what about personal development? If employees are simply clocking in, working in robot mode then clocking out, and receiving their check at the end of it, then fair enough. But, if you want to get more out of people, you have to put more in. Offer a competitive salary, sure, but also offer the opportunity for progression and the gaining of new skills. This can be done through inhouse training and mentoring, and through outsourcing of the training to experts such as Impel Dynamic. Not only will this training reap the obvious benefits of staff with improved skills, but it will also nurture a sense of loyalty.
RECOGNISE INDIVIDUALITY
Don’t ever underestimate the power of teamwork. But equally, there are many who excel and produce their best work independently and without input from others. It’s vital as a leader to recognise that people have different skill sets and each respond to encouragement, responsibility, autonomy and cooperation differently. Only in the past three decades has scientific research confirmed the existence of myriad diverse intelligences, and by bearing this in mind, you can tune each member of your team individually, to harmonise in chorus.
DELEGATE
You can’t do everything yourself; physically and in terms of time, it’s just not possible. But to put it more plainly, trying to take control of all tasks will be far less productive and creative than delegating. Giving members of your team responsibility is the best way to raise morale and increase performance. The more control workers have over their responsibilities, the better they feel and the harder they work. Simple, really.