3 Ways to Be of Service to Your Employees in 2020
Dec 18, 2019
Engaged employees send a vibe that can be felt throughout your entire company. When your employees show up because they want to, everyone wins. Customers are happier, teams are extra productive, and your company is more profitable.
As a recruiter, I’m lucky to be offered a perspective that blends candidate and employer needs. I hear first-hand what employees need to feel engaged in their work. On the flip side, I get to work with my fantastic clients on creating super-motivating engagement strategies.
Today, I share with you 3 top ways to be of service for your employees this coming year.
Show Your Vulnerability.
In her book, Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead, Brene Brown says, “Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage.” She goes on to say, “Vulnerability is not weakness...Our willingness to own and engage with our vulnerability determines the depth of our courage and the clarity of our purpose...”
It’s time that we level up and show our employees a willingness to connect, be open, and courageous in the workplace. We can do so by:
Accepting help when we need it the most. A stubborn I’ve got this attitude will only get us so far. It’s time we ask those closest to us for a hand when we need it. By asking for help, you are showing humility while also encouraging growth and collaboration.
Admitting the self-doubt that creeps in. As confident as we are, nobody entirely escapes negative self-talk. Try expressing any reservations you may have. Allow your team to lift everyone up, including you - their leader!
Confiding in our employees. Words spoken in confidence will bring a leader and their team closer together. Revealing your imperfections is a perfect place to start. Show your employees that you are human, too. Express that you are in it together.
By confiding in, opening up to, and accepting help from your employees, you are showing them that you value their feedback, contribution, and support.
Share your Vision.
Your employees are the glue of your business - the sparkle to your Christmas ornaments. They are invested in their professional success, which is directly related to how well your company is performing.
In this 2019 Deloitte Global Millennial Survey, we find that Millennials are most attracted to purpose-driven companies. Some ways that you can further incorporate purpose into the workplace include:
- Show your employees the impact of their work.
- Offer your employees growth and learning opportunities that align with their vision.
- Take the time to celebrate wins as individuals, and as a company.
- Create opportunities for your employees to mentor, and be mentored.
When it comes to sharing your vision, providing regular updates on successes is important, but so is sharing your company’s struggles. When a project doesn’t go well, share what went wrong. If your company is lighter in revenue than years past, discuss the patterns. You will be pleasantly surprised as to who stands up and offers proactive ideas for improvements. Allow your employees to be strong, even if they are sometimes stronger than you.
Allow your employees to display their critical thinking and problem-solving skills in new and innovative ways. By including everyone in your mission, you are encouraging buy-in from your most engaged team members.
Listen and Act on Feedback.
As a leader, you will often give feedback on performance, but how often do you allow the door to swing the other way?
Engaged employees are the ones who feel the freedom to receive and give open feedback. By creating an air of mutual benefit and respect, you are showing your valued team members that you want them to be an active voice in the company.
Some ways to encourage feedback include:
- Holding regular 1:1 meetings and offering a safe and open time to talk.
- Deploying company surveys that are anonymous and ask specific questions.
- Planning a monthly staff meeting where your team leads the agenda.
Next, and the most critical factor is to implement changes whenever possible. Address any concerns, feedback, and suggestions, with a timeline attached. When you give a tangible timeline for implementation, your employees will see that you are engaged and that you care.
By creating trust, encouraging vulnerability, and supporting acts of accountability, we instill trust in our employees while inspiring them to make a difference. I encourage you to be of service to your company and your people this coming year.
Looking forward to being of service to you in 2020!
Amy
