Most companies will say that their employees are the best, but how often do those employees hear those words to their face? Loyal employees want upper management and owners to state their appreciation for them and oftentimes that means more than a slight raise or an extra benefit.
Pay Attention and Be Appreciative
It is quite easy for you to connect with your employees and tell them how much you appreciate all that they do. A simple “Good morning,” or “I really appreciate all your hard work,” or “thank you for staying a little late last week,” are easy ways to tell and show your employees that you care about them and you notice their effort.
Be Communicative
You may want to begin your day by walking around the office and having a quick conversation with every single one of your employees. This is a great way to get to know them better and learn about their lives outside of work. In fact, these small details may allow you to see how maybe a slight schedule change could make someone more productive or how a policy change could affect how many of them work. This is something that every manager and owner should be doing, if not on a daily basis, then weekly.
Host Special Work Events
You can also reward your employees with a special luncheon or a summer picnic at a local attraction. Your employees will be grateful, and the cost will not be so large that it will bankrupt the company. In fact, many companies will shut down for a day during the summer to allow their employees to gather at a local amusement park or race course for an afternoon of fun with their families and co-workers. It is a great way to boost self-esteem and get everyone refreshed for when they return to work the next day.
Include Everyone in a Meeting
A weekly or monthly meeting where you can share your appreciation is another option and every employee will be happy to be noticed by you. This is the time when you can single people out for going above and beyond their job description or announcing how well a team did on one of their latest projects.
Connect with Your Employees
The possibilities are endless when it comes to connecting with your employees, but the rewards and benefits you will reap will be even larger. It’s no secret that communication is extremely important to the success of any type of relationship. Talk to your employees and give them the opportunity to respond. They will enjoy their job more and work harder to keep it because they appreciate your time.