11 tips to make your employees fall in love 15 July 2015
What starts as an employee-employer relationship full of expectations, illusions and passion can end up becoming a marriage worn out by years of routine.
Did you know that, according to the “Happiness and Work Study”, the happy employees are 88% more productive?
A good employee-employer relationship full of expectations, excitement and passion is vital to ensure an optimal working environment. It is up to us, as a company, to ensure that the working relationship remains as fresh as it was when we first met.
We give you 11 tips to help you make your employees fall in love with you:
1. Water the relationship daily
Good words, deeds and gestures towards your employees are essential to maintain good relations: give them a gift if it is their birthday, make their life easier with work-life balance solutions (transport allowances, meal vouchers...), continuously evaluate what can be done to make things go better...
2. Communicate openly
Two-way internal communication is one of the most important factors in making workflows as efficient and productive as possible. Listen to each other, thank each other for a job well done, point the way forward, support each other through tough times and negotiate when necessary. Don't let silence kill your relationship.
3. Express yourself clearly
No one can guess what the other person thinks or wants. In order to meet expectations, employees need to know exactly what is expected of them. Objectives and deadlines need to be clear and, if necessary, agreed by both parties to be realistic.
4. Change your policies, not people
HR policies need to be adapted to the different personal and professional phases faced by employees. This can affect, among other things, remuneration policy or flexible working hours. Recognise good work and reward it with, for example, gift vouchers, holiday days, extra meals, etc.
5. Set a comfortable working pace
Although some employees perform better under pressure, maintaining a comfortable but steady pace of work is the most efficient way to get results and to ensure that relationships are not negatively affected.
6. Learn to delegate
Trust is vital in any working relationship. Demonstrate the trust you have in your team by delegating work. Bear in mind that each employee will have their own working methods and quirks. Learn to adapt to them - at the end of the day, it's the good result that counts.
7. Allow time for personal space
Taking care of yourself is essential for doing your best at work. Don't perceive your employees' free time as something negative that you have to hinder. Everyone (including you) should spend that time with family, friends or doing their favourite hobby. This enriches the individual and releases tension, which will undoubtedly contribute to better results at work.
8. Enables your professional development
Have your employees been on the same project for too long? Look for ways to bring talent to the surface. Allow employees to develop their career horizontally (in different areas, for example) as this stimulates their motivation and gives them a global vision of the company.
9. Respect your employees
Belittling, judging without reason, giving offence or never giving in are ways of destroying the trust you have been building up little by little. Don't make this mistake and resolve conflicts with open, respectful and professional communication.
10. Get out of the routine together
Reports, meetings, deadlines... Day-to-day life can be very stressful. Therefore, sharing relaxed moments outside the office will help you to get to know each other better, relax tensions and generate empathy. Try to disconnect from work together from time to time.
11. And above all, a positive attitude!
Don't doubt, there will be hard times; attitude is as important as the ability to get out of them. Be realistic but positive and turn problems into a challenging adventure. You must convey this at all times. This will serve to build even more confidence. The team will appreciate it.
