With the struggle for businesses to find talent these days, it boggles my mind that not all businesses are taking more time to invest in their employees and show them that THEY MATTER. Here are three SIMPLE things you can do to treat your employees better this week than you did last week.
1) Ask your employees what you can provide/do so they can more easily accomplish their work. Then do it. They might say, “less micro management” or “an option to stand at my desk instead of sit.” Easy stuff. Make it happen. Show them you care. Don’t judge them for what they ask for.
2) Show your appreciation for something they do that you have started to take for granted. When an employee does something repeatedly because it’s their job (answers the phone, prepares meeting material, cleans the counter, makes coffee, clips news articles about your business, takes meeting notes), it tends to be taken for granted over time because it’s always done and done well. Don’t forget to thank them for these expected and seemingly mundane responsibilities – it matters.
3) At the end of the day or their shift, thank them for their work that day. It’s a simple gesture that can make a big difference in employee morale. Everyone likes/wants/needs to feel appreciated. As the leader, make sure your employees know they add value. Tell or show them regularly that they make a difference to the organization and are appreciated.