A recent study concluded that over 80% of people would consider quitting their job due to bad management. Arguably the most important role of a manager is to drive employee well-being and empowerment – that’s why you get paid the big bucks. A small effort on your part may go a long way with your employees and we are here to bring light to habits you may have unknowingly adopted that are extremely fixable to create a more productive and positive culture!
The Great Resignation is behind us, but mass layoffs are not. On top of the additional attention, it requires to onboard a new employee, the extra workload of the previous employee will need to be shared amongst your remaining employees which could ultimately leave them feeling overwhelmed or burnt out. Thus, creating an entirely new problem. Now Is not the time to slack on quarterly meetings or check-ins.
Are you approachable? Do you make yourself available? Do you work with your office door closed? These are all easily adaptable but not-so-desirable habits you may have. Your employees now more than ever are begging to be heard and have their needs be met which has made your job arguably more important, and if you’re leaving them feeling shut out you may likely lose them. Try creating an open-door policy so your employees can freely communicate any questions, comments, or concerns. It’s time to delegate accordingly and remove things from your plate to make room for what’s important.
How do you speak to your employees? One of the main reasons employees seek new employment is due to the communication, or lack thereof, between themselves and their management. Respect is earned and how you speak to people, both in and outside of work, can make or break your relationship, and ultimately if you are speaking down to people what is stopping others, who look to you, to do the same? You are single-handedly destroying the culture in your company not only for those who are employed there now but for those who may potentially be employed there in the future as a new hire would be inclined to turn right back around and find something different. People may look past a mistake or two, but they will never forget how you made them feel.
Are you continually asking your employees to do something that you won’t do? Of course, this is not referring to mail runs or bank deposits. I’m talking about working on holidays, dressing appropriately, or simply coming to work on time. A quick way to lose the respect of your employees is by asking them to work on a holiday and you not being there with them. It seems like the “we’re all in this together” mentality has vanished. Technically speaking, if you are the owner of the company or in a position of management, should you not care as much as if not more than about the success of your business? The second an employee feels as though they “care” more than you do by putting in the hours and the work necessary you have lost them.
Do you give credit where credit is due? Celebrating someone’s accomplishments, no matter how small will never go unnoticed. Not even by the person receiving the celebration, but even more so by those around them. It could be something as little as grabbing them a cup of coffee or giving them a small plastic golden trophy (that I may or may not keep on my desk) that can make someone feel recognized and appreciated for the work they put in. Playing hard to please is only cute in high school relationships.
For further assistance in your job search or your search for qualified candidates to fill your open roles, please call (518) 275-4816.
LATEST READS FROM WALRATH RECRUITING:
