How To Make Your Employees Happier
A happy employee is a good employee, there’s no secret about that. And it’s just as true for small teams as it is for multinational corporations. In an ideal world, you’ll be at the head of a team that’s driven, dedicated and innovative, and that’s efficient at getting great results. But, securing employee satisfaction is easier said than done. It takes work and resources, and sometimes, it’s a real balancing act.
If you’ve decided to take your leadership skills to the next level, the first thing you’ll have to do is learn how to ask the right questions. And not only ask, but listen too.
Communication is key in ensuring employee satisfaction
The easiest way to motivate your team is to schedule weekly, monthly, or quarterly one-on-one meetings with your employees. This way, you can stay in the loop on all their tasks and assignments. You will also have insight into their struggles and concerns. This practice takes time, especially with bigger teams. But, it definitely makes for the best way to create an open and honest work environment. It is the most precious tool in your arsenal. It sends a message to your employees that you care about them, creating room for valuable feedback and feedforward.
Regular feedback is crucial for employees’ satisfaction. Nothing is as frustrating and discouraging as unresolved issues. If you find that someone isn’t doing an adequate job, you need to bring this to their attention in a clear, calm manner. Also, make sure you give them the tools and time they need to improve. Don’t become frustrated, and don’t be passive-aggressive about your reprimands. It should be quite simple: define the problem, ask them to suggest a solution, support them in finding the best way to improve and agree about the deadline.
Don’t forget about positive feedback either. Recognition for work done well is the easiest way to boost someone’s self-confidence and satisfaction. Especially if it’s public. So why not take the opportunity during your next team meeting to point out someone’s great results?
Show your employees you believe in them
What’s the thing that drives you to work hard? More likely than not, it’s the idea of advancement reflected in the recognition you get, monetary compensation, or some other type of bonus. Chances are, your employees are seeking similar opportunities as well. Not only can the idea of professional advancement be a great motivator to do a better job, but growth can be an excellent goal on its own. Offer your employees opportunities to progress. Discuss these opportunities with them, and create easy-to-follow guidelines. You may even want to discuss their expectations – this way, you’ll minimize the chances of disappointment, thus preventing decreases in productivity before they even happen.
Another thing you’ll find that works great is to challenge employees in ways that will help them move forward. This doesn’t mean you should set goals that are impossible to attain. Rather, give them the opportunity to succeed. Is there a young person on your team who is talented but lacks experience? Why not assign them with their own project and provide the support of a more experienced colleague to guide them through the process? Not only will this improve their self-confidence, but it will also teach them the skills they need in order to take on more important roles in the company.
Last but not least, you will want to provide growth opportunities for your workers. Investing in their skills and knowledge isn’t just a way to ensure higher profits. It also shows them that you’re serious about keeping them on in the long run.
Don’t be afraid to get creative
You’ve seen so far that ensuring employee satisfaction isn’t at all about how much money you’re willing to spend. Even if you’re on a tight budget, there are numerous things you can do to ensure your workers are inspired and motivated. Remote work is a great example of this. Studies show that workers who are allowed to do their job from home, tend to be 13.5% more efficient. They are also less likely to be under excess stress, are more engaged in company activities, and even have better interpersonal relationships with their coworkers. If you run a business that doesn’t require everyone to be at the office all the time, such a work model can even help you save money on office space, utilities, and supplies! Alternatively, you can determine one or two days a week when people can work from home.
Similarly to this, you can experiment with working hours. More and more research is being done on how to improve productivity. Some results are suggesting that people actually do more when they stay at work less. This doesn’t mean saying goodbye to the 8-hour workday for good. But, you could shorten the workdays on Fridays, allowing your employees to spend more time with their families. Or, dedicate one day a month when everyone gets a day off to do whatever they want.
Even activities such as having lunch with everyone once a week, or throwing an office party can help bring people together. And these can give you the needed change of setting to brainstorm without the pressure of being in an office. Who says your team needs to hold meetings in an LED-lit room, surrounded by computer screens and ringing telephones? Why not go to a nearby park instead? Small hacks such as these can do wonders to increase employee satisfaction, all the while boosting their productivity.
Don’t forget about offering benefits
Last but not least, there is, of course, the question of tangible benefits. As an employer, it is your job to find ways to motivate your employees. If you do everything right, you may find that you’ve built a solid team you can trust. This will free up time to focus on important tasks and expansion opportunities, or even to take a step back and reap the benefits of all your hard work. To do this, you will need to employ traditional methods in addition to everything else mentioned.
A salary increase or a bonus are great ways to make sure your employees know they’re valued. While telling them you’re happy with the work they’re doing is crucial, an increase in earnings will really drive this message home, encouraging them to improve. But, a bonus doesn’t just have to be about money. Benefits such as paid time off, gift cards, wellness packages, program memberships that promote a healthy life-work balance will do the job too.
Employee satisfaction shouldn’t be a mistery
You are probably aware by now that there are numerous ways to approach the issue of job satisfaction. As an employer or manager, it is your task to make all the necessary changes to ensure a healthy working environment in which everyone will be given the opportunity to excel. Though sometimes you will run into bumps, and although you can’t make everyone happy, you should strive to do your best. After all, job satisfaction facilitates results, which is your ultimate goal.
You can also boost company morale by bringing in an HR consultant. This way, you can get the benefits of a second professional opinion, and leadership help that is completely tailored to your needs. To enlist and use my experience in this type of work, you can contact me by clicking HERE.
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