Annabelle Smyth is currently a loving and caring mother of two children. She lives outside of Milwaukee, WI and loves cheering for the Bucks and Badgers. She is a blog enthusiast and loves writing, if she is not writing she is cleaning up after her two lovely angels. She can be reached at [email protected]
It takes more than a professional demeanor and a stiff upper lip to manage employees. In addition to leadership, they need to be treated with respect and shown that they matter. It sounds complicated, but managing staff efficiently can be done without a lot of headache and micromanaging. Here are a few steps to try and manage your employees better, and to try to improve your leadership coaching skills.
1. Reciprocate Respect
You want your employees to show you respect, so afford it to them as well. Greet them with courtesy and spark a conversation about something interesting outside of the current work project. Maintain eye contact when speaking and practice active listening skills. Watch your body language. Crossed arms or facing in a different direction from them can send a message that you are indifferent or hostile to what they have to say.
2. No Favoritism
Be mindful to treat your employees equally. Favoritism causes workplace feuding, rivalries, and unnecessary tension. Competition should take place solely with your company’s competitors, not within the corporation itself. Monitor how much time you spend with each employee and the accolades you give them. If several team members appear to take much of your focus, then you know to start delegating that focus to the rest of the staff.
3. Reward Excellent Work
Your employees know that they are expected to put forth their best effort. Reward them for following through. A congratulatory company email that cites the accomplishment, an announcement at the next business meeting, or a tangible reward such as a plaque or trophy all show the employee that his hard work did not go unnoticed. For more ideas, see about utilizing employee rewards programs on a regular basis to keep your team motivated. Companies like O.C. Tanner specialize in such programs with unique and meaningful incentives, rewards, and promotions that are tailored to the needs of your staff.
4. Keep the Company Spirit Up
Long hours and grueling deadlines can take their toll on your employees. Refresh their spirits to keep persevering. Have an office party where your staff is treated to a free lunch. Also, gift cards, custom awards, products with company logos, and other merchandise are just some of the ways for employees to see what their work earns. They will feel appreciated and you will see greater company productivity. These four simple tips are the foundation to building trust with your employees and managing them efficiently. What other management tips do you have for small business owners?
