As a business owner, you know very well how much your employees do for you – without them, your company simply wouldn’t be the same. Yet, how much time do we spend on showing them how much we actually care in order to make sure they don’t jump ships?
While many things are different for business owners today than they were a decade ago, one thing has changed dramatically; your employees have not necessarily come to stay. People change jobs frequently these days, and one of your competitors would probably be happy to welcome them onboard with a higher salary if they were to abandon you.
Make sure that this doesn’t happen by becoming the best boss ever. Here is a quick list of simple gestures to show your employees some love during the weekday – the appropriate kind, that is.
#1: Get to Know Them
The very best of bosses is on friendly terms with their employees. They take the time to actually get to know them – not because they have to, but because they want to. That’s the kind of boss you should aspire to be if you’re not already one, and it will make it much easier for your team to stay on your side if they should get an offer elsewhere.
Understanding that your employees have a personal life outside of work will help you to make the best decision, in general, as well. If you know them personally, you’ll also be in-the-know about who has a massive family to take care of and might need some flexible working hours in order to thrive.
#2: Create Team Culture
Another excellent way to encourage employee performance through kindness is by creating a team culture. Team culture includes establishing behavioral norms, beliefs, and values that employees will follow. As team culture manifests in your company, it will represent what you stand for, positively impacting your growth.
Team building is also vital as it helps reduce employee turnover rate. It can increase individual motivation and engagement, leading to the retention of skilled workers. If you are looking for ways to reduce interpersonal conflicts within your company, you should also consider creating a team culture. An active team will promote cohesiveness among your employees, reducing any form of disputes.
If your employees are working from home, you need to identify ways to promote a remote culture of teamwork. It can be hard to manage people in different locations, but by instilling confidence in your team, creating time for team building, and showing kindness and appreciation, you can effectively manage remote teams.
#3: Reward Your Team
One of the best parts about working in an office is that you get to be a part of a team that’s working together towards something. It’s not fair if you, as the employer, is the only one who gets to reap the benefits of their hard work.
Make sure that you have incentives in place that encourages your employees to go that extra mile. A team dinner on the company’s bill is always a great idea, as well as custom gift cards, and fun team-building experiences.
It’s also a good idea to remember that the little things also really matter. A quick email to congratulate someone on the completion of a project, for example, or a word of encouragement, in general, can go a long way.
The idea is that an employee who feels valued and appreciated will be much less likely to wake up one morning and abandon you for someone who actually cares about them.
#4: Make Time for Them
This is undoubtedly the hardest one for employers to achieve as they’re already so busy. Yet, taking the time for a quick chat or just a regular conversation is just as important as a gift card or a team-building experience.
Being a likeable employer is one of the most important things you can do for your company as you’re taking care of your most important resource. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure that people are only saying good things about your company behind your back.
