Business owners succeed when their companies thrive. Happy clients and customers mean more traffic, which means more money in the company account. Soaring profits and low overhead are every owner’s dream scenario. There are ways that you, as a newbie to the business world, can help kickstart this best-case scenario. Treating your employees with the utmost respect means learning how to boost morale when the mood is stressed or low. Here are a few ideas for getting employees back to happy and your company back to the black.
Give Employees More Responsibility
Very few people enjoy having every instruction dictated to them word for word. What’s more, having a boss peering over your shoulder and watching every move you make can make the mood go from high to low quickly. When you give employees a directive, empower them to take it and run. When they hesitate, then assure them that your door is open for questions, but that it is up to them to handle it. Giving someone this kind of responsibility and the confidence to carry it out effectively is an automatic morale boost. It tells them that you believe they are capable and adept enough to do what is best for the team.
Open Doors Mean Open Minds
Some bosses give the message that they are approachable yet retreat behind a closed door for the day. When an employee has a problem or question, it may be challenging to get through to the manager. Develop an open-door policy and stick with it. This doesn’t mean you need to have a turnstile at the threshold. You need time to do your work with very few interruptions. Instead, set various times throughout the workday where you make yourself available for anyone’s needs. Once employees understand this, they will be less antsy when you are tied up. When a manager encourages staff members to come in and talk, it also fosters a sense of comradery from the top down.
Listen, Repeat and Act
Office gossip can ruin even the most positive workspace. Whispers and closed-door meetings can cause others to feel uneasy about eventually becoming the topic of such gossip. When a manager becomes aware of this mood killer, addressing it at the source is the best way to repress it. What happens when the chatter is about the way management handles or mishandles something with the staff? If this is the scenario you encounter more often than not, you must decide how to deal with it. Gather your employees together and hold an open Q&A session. When there is an underlying problem festering, assure your employees that you hear what they’re saying and that you will take reasonable action soon.
Reward Hard Work and Service
Employees today are less likely to be loyal to a company than in years past. Much of this is due to the disconnect that exists between the people at the top and those below. These employees may feel like they do the bulk of the work with little to no recognition. One way to boost morale may be by enacting years of service awards, merit raises, and bonuses to convey your gratitude to those who work hard. Realize that these employees give the company a leg up on the competition through their accomplishments. Years of service awards do not have to be just about how long someone has been with the company, and really, they shouldn’t be. Instead, focus on those top performers who have contributed significantly to the culture and success of the business.
Keep reminding yourself that you wouldn’t be here without the hard work and dedication of others. Even if you started the company with relatively nothing, it would still be there if it wasn’t for your employees. Take some time to figure out a way to keep them happy – doing so will keep them showing up and pitching in to ensure the success of the company.
