Whether you are a manager, team leader or supervisor there are certain keys to creating an environment where your employees feel connected to their peers and most importantly to you. When they are connected in the right way you will see that employees are more likely to be happy at work, more productive for longer periods of time which ultimately leads to higher profits for the company. This is why it’s important to remember 8 key areas when building this sense of connection with your employees if you want them to stay engaged in their jobs.
Here are the 8 key areas managers need to focus on when connecting with their teams: Peter DeCaprio
1- Give up Your Secret Weapon –
Micromanaging is when managers constantly watch over their employees’ shoulders and asks them to accomplish every little task. It’s about getting more hands-on with the work that is being done which leads to higher stress levels for team members. This leads to disengaged employees or staff not happy in their jobs. You need to give up this behavior t o create opportunities for your team members to use their skills, creativity and brainpower.
2- Group Activities Matter –
Team collaboration allows for higher cooperation among workers within the company, which builds employee relationships. Typically, large companies have already started doing this because it shows that one good group activity can help boost engagement by 40%. Getting together and engaging in a virtual conference activity will help build your team so you can move forward toward common goals.
3- Don’t be a Selfish Boss –
Selfish bosses are the ones who only care about their own well being and not that of others. They often put themselves first before anyone else which makes them appear like little tyrants within the office. This is something people do not want to work with because it doesn’t make for an enjoyable working environment. If you give more to others than you take, this will lead to higher trust levels among your employees which leads to increased productivity for everyone involved.
4- Promote Collaborative Feedback –
Feedback is essential in our lives because it’s how we improve over time as individuals and as part of a team. The best way to get a pulse on how employees are feeling is through frequent feedback sessions which allow for higher buy-in from each person. When you promote collaborative feedback it will allow for team members to find out what they can do differently as well as what they are doing right which leads to more trust, respect and loyalty between your staff members.
5- Keep Things Positive –
There is a certain art that managers have when it comes to being positive with their employees without making them feel uncomfortable. Often bosses have a habit of constantly correcting their staff but this doesn’t always create an environment where people want to move towards the same goal together. Plus constructive criticism isn’t effective if all you ever give your team members is negative feedback. You need to build trust so employees are more likely to want to work harder for you without constantly being threatened with criticism.
6- Lead by Example –
People want to follow the example of their managers because it shows them how they should behave when in charge. No matter what role you have within a company, your team looks to you for guidance at every step along the way which means you need to set an example that inspires others towards success. If your workers don’t respect you then they will not be willing to do anything other than the bare minimum at their jobs each day which leads to lower productivity levels.
7- Don’t Play Favorites –
It’s important as a leader not only creates a team of people who want to work together on a daily basis but you need to appreciate each and every person for what they bring to the company. Playing favorites will only drive a deeper wedge between your workforce if some feel as though they are getting more attention than others which leads to resentment and jealousy towards those getting more opportunities.
8- Delegate Effectively –
Many managers assume that employees should know how to do things without any direction or training which is not always the case. Although it isn’t the manager’s job to hold everyone’s hand along the way, showing employees how certain tasks should be completed can help increase their productivity levels which means both parties benefit from working together. When you delegate effectively, this allows your staff members the opportunity to grow into their roles which in turn makes your overall team stronger.
Conclusion by Peter DeCaprio:
When you are able to work effectively with others, it can lead to a much more fulfilling experience for everyone involved. If you are the kind of people person who enjoys working together towards common goals then becoming a team leader is something that will bring out the best in you. Take your time when reading through this information which should benefit you in learning how to be an effective leader in any environment.