The modern workplace is changing rapidly. We have traditional offices, fully remote companies, and companies that seem more like fun houses than professional offices.
There are so many different ways to run your business and be a leader. Inspiring and motivating employees to do their best is obviously easier said than done. Many businesses are completely ignoring their employee's wants and needs and sticking to a strict routine that seems to work on the outside. But in reality, their productivity levels could likely be improved.
If you want to attract the right employees and keep them happy, you need to look into what they really need for a safe and productive environment. When I think about being a boss, there are so many things that I am onboard with, and many traditional management styles that I think we need a break from. If I was the boss of my own company, this is what I would do.
1. Designate Social Time During The Day
One of the things I hate most is not knowing who I work with. I want to have people I can talk to during the day so I'm not just sitting alone in a room slaving away. Knowing who you work with gives you a sense of community. And a community works together for the good of the company. Separate employees only think of what they need, but a community looks at the whole picture.
2. Shorten Workdays
It's been said numerous times that the current workday is too long. Employees are people first. They want time to spend with their families, enjoy their hobbies, and just live. A shorter workday gives more time for play and more time to refresh. In studies that were done, employees who worked fewer hours with the same pay were more productive and much happier during the day.
3. Get To Know My Employees
A boss who is mysterious breeds rumors and bad feelings. A boss who is with her people every day, learning and growing with her employees, is a colleague and a friend. There must be a line between boss and employee, but that line doesn't give you the right to hide away and not get to know your workers. You're more likely to trust and work for someone you know rather than someone you don't.
4. Really Enforce A Mission Statement
I've seen hundreds of mission statements, but rarely do I see companies who truly implement them in their daily business. I want to provide activities and motivational practices to enforce an overall mission that inspires and leads employees to love where they work and feel like they are making a difference.
5. Reward Hard Work Often
Even a simple acknowledgment will encourage employees to keep working their hardest. People like to be noticed, especially when they're giving you all they've got. I want to be aware of my employee's work and reward them with compliments, bonuses, or special treats for really working hard and doing something amazing. A simple pizza party is cheap and effective for raising morale.
6. Ask For Feedback
A boss should listen to her employee's concerns and find ways to help. I would hold biweekly or monthly meetings to figure out how I'm doing. I would invite employees to one-on-one sessions to freely criticize my techniques and tell me how they feel. This goes for the company as well. Getting feedback on processes and systems to see if they could use some improving too.
7. Shower My Team With Resources
After you graduate college or leave trade-school school, you are no longer in a learning environment. The work environment is not one where new skills are directly learned, but where old skills are harnessed and refined. I would provide opportunities for employees to visit conferences or further their education because in return I'd have smarter, well-rounded employees who can implement new skills for my company.
8. Celebrate Personal Moments
At my current workplace, one thing I really love is the monthly birthday lunches. This is a small gesture that tells employees that their personal life is valued here. It helps them feel more like a member of the team rather than a simple working machine. I want to celebrate when someone on my team has a birthday, a wedding, or a major milestone because I want them to know they are more to me than a number or a percentage.
9. Be Flexible When Employees Need It
A mother needs to be there for her child when they're sick. A wife needs to support her husband when he's at an event. Employees who are distracted by fear and worry are never productive. I want to be flexible and let employees work weird hours or take work home when something in life happens. I want them to have peace of mind knowing that work and family life can coincide in harmony.
10. Place Employees In Positions That Suit Them
If I hire someone for a job and they really deserve to play another role, I want to find ways to promote or move them to a new department. Employees who work on projects that align with their passions will work harder. I want to be aware of my employees' passions and give them the opportunity to follow those passions in a position that's perfect for them. In return, I get better work and a more dedicated employee who feels like they're reaching their potential.
11. Give Employees A Workspace They'll Love
Where you physically are has an effect on your mood and how you behave. High Point University, my alma mater, really takes this idea seriously. The buildings are grand because it inspires great work and confidence. They've fostered an environment that truly inspires you to do your best and work to achieve your goals. I want to do the same for my employees by giving them a space that promotes an attitude of greatness.
12. Encourage Workplace Relations
This goes one step further than item number one, which was allotting social time. I want to breed relationships in my office. I want to host icebreakers and get people talking. I want you to know who Jan from HR is and Kevin from Dev. When you know who you're working with, you feel at home. You don't feel afraid to ask questions or challenge ideas. And you're more forgiving when someone makes a mistake.
I know that running a company or an office takes a lot of work. Sometimes we take shortcuts or keep things simple for the sake of time. But, if you're willing to take a chance and try out a few new things, you may end up increasing productivity and sales. It just takes a strong willpower and a little bit of courage.
