One of the most common problems business owners have nowadays is keeping their employees engaged and interested in their jobs.
It’s not enough anymore to pay them a salary for their job. Instead of a career, employees want an experience at work.
When you have employees of all ages in one place, you need to understand what motivates each of them.
Typically, Baby Boomers need stability and clear instructions, Millennials value work-life balance and Generation Xers want independency and the ability to work from everywhere.
So, are you having a hard time keeping your employees engaged?
As a business owner, it’s hard to meet all your employees’ expectations. But it’s your job to listen to them and to create a culture they want to be a part of.
In today’s post, we share six vital tips to help keep your team engaged and productive. Let’s begin:
1. Communication Is the Key
Clear communication from the beginning sets the groundwork for effective work relationships.
Communicate clearly your company’s values and vision. Explain to your employees what you expect from them, goals you want each of them to achieve and the expected time frame to accomplish those goals.
Don’t assume everyone understands or has a clear mind what they need to do to give their best.
Be open and available for their questions.
2. Give Your Employees the Tools to Succeed
Set your team up for success by giving them the tools, training and support they need to give their best work.
Check in with your employees and ask them what they require for productivity – and to be a top worker for the company.
Remember this is your company and it’s your responsibility to make sure your people have what they need for constructiveness and teamwork.
3. Include Your Employees In the Company’s Successes
The easiest way to have your people give their best is to involve them in the process of planning and decision-making.
Figure out a way to gather input from all of your employees, analyze their ideas and reward the ones by putting those ideas in practice.
It will give your employees a sense of belonging when they realize they’re a part of the company’s success. Your business will become their baby and your people will be willing to give it their all.
4. Give Feedback Often
Your employees want to know what you think and they need guidance and the confidence they’re on the right track.
Positive feedback gives your team the certainty they’re doing a good job and inspires them to go above and beyond.
Negative feedback should also be given right away to give your employees the chance to correct their actions.
Give suggestions often and don’t wait for periodic reviews. Your team needs immediate feedback from you to maintain their work habits.
5. Build Trust
Make yourself known as a fair leader.
Examine situations and circumstances and use your experience to solve problems with or between your employees.
Your team needs to know you will be fair no matter the issue. If you show them respect and fairness, they in return will trust and respect you.
People are more engaged with their job when they respect a company’s leader.
6. Get to Know Your Employees
When you make the effort to listen to your team you get to know each of your employees beyond their respective jobs.
You come to learn their dreams, hopes and struggles allowing you to create a bond with your team beyond the job description. Your people not only respect and trust you, they will admire you and use you as an example to follow.
Having Engagement Means Being Committed
When your employees feel respected and valued, they will view their job as their personal project. They will be more productive, more efficient and your company becomes their motivation to succeed.
Now it’s your turn – what engagement tips work for your team?