Effective bosses want their employees to succeed. It benefits your employees, and the company as well. Keeping your employees happy is an essential part to their success. In fact, studies show that happy
employees are 12% more productive than unhappy employees. Taking it a step further, happy employees put their happiness to work and bolster company success by outperforming their competitors by 20%. Helping your employees thrive is a win – win.
They’re happy, you’re happy, the bottom line is happy. How can you help your employees thrive?
Create the environment
People want to feel as though their work matters. They want to work for something larger than themselves and see the results of their labors. By creating a positive environment, your employees will feel valued and engaged in their jobs. A positive work culture is essential to helping your employees thrive.
Allow for growth
Do your employees have room to grow? Offering your employees development opportunities – both personal and professional – can demonstrate that you are committed to their success. Employees in all demographics report that they
want development and training; offering them the opportunity is an indicator that they matter.
Promote healthy work/life integration
Employees want to be valued as individuals and want to be seen for their whole-selves. Promoting a
healthy work/life integration is essential. Encourage your employees to set flexible boundaries between their work/home lives.
Discourage after-hours email, weekend work, or other practices that blur the line between work and non-work hours. Lead by example and take regular time off, encourage disconnecting on weekends and encourage conversation about employee lives outside of work. A practical way to tackle this conversation is to acknowledge that sometimes one part of our lives will get or need more focus than another, and this is normal.
Seek regular feedback
Ask employees how they feel about the culture of the organization, what’s working and what needs to be improved. Asking for employee input demonstrates that you value their opinion, and that their voice matters. This helps create a positive environment where employees can thrive. By encouraging employees to be open about their feelings, they will feel more engaged in the work of the organization.
Practice effective communication
Give employees information they need. Be transparent about corporate concerns (as appropriate), share exciting news, discuss future plans for expansion. Communication is one of the most effective ways of helping your employees feel connected to the organization.
However, communication is more than simply dispensing information. Be an active listener to your employees. Focus your attention on what they’re saying and demonstrate that you are empathetic. Ask questions, ensure that you understand what the other person is saying. With a
high percentage of employees (50%) reporting that no one in their leadership team listens to them, communication is one of the most important things you can do to help your employees thrive.
Helping your employees thrive is essential to running a successful business. Look for ways to encourage your employees to take advantage of the positive culture you’ve built. The results will improve not only your corporate success, but increase the positive vibe surrounding your company. Success breeds success, and people will be
drawn to a place where the employees are thriving. How can you encourage your employees today?
Michele Bailey is president and CEO of
Blazing Agency and
My Big Idea™. These two lines of business work congruently to support her clients’ success.
