In order to get the absolute most out of your employees and have the best chance of meeting company goals, you’ve got to know how to communicate with your team properly and effectively. Rather than resorting to generic communication methods that might be outdated and ineffective, get to the core of what it truly means to say what you mean and mean what you say.
Let Your Employees Know You Appreciate Them and What They Do
Simply giving your employees a pat on the back or a thumbs up when they do a good job isn’t enough. You may not be aware of all of the time and energy they put in their work, and a simple “good job” may make them feel as though they aren’t appreciated. Be specific in your praise and what you like about how they work and what they bring to the company. Vagueness doesn’t do any favors and it’s not a good way to retain good employees.
Thank Your Employees
While you’re heaping detailed praise on your employees, thank them. Even better, thank them in public as well as personally. This shows you’re paying attention to what they’re doing and want to acknowledge their contributions during one of the many times you have a daily interaction with them and when you have staff meetings. If you never seem to cross paths with an employee you wish to thank, send him or her a thank you email or leave a yellow sticky note.
Ask Your Employees What They Think
Let your employees know they have a say in how the company operates by asking them their opinion and what they think of a new project, plan or process. Try your best to refrain from the generic approach of taking employee ideas and using them as your own or making your team believe there’s only one right answer. Leave room for improvisation and true creativity. Your employees are sure to appreciate having a safe place in which to speak their minds just as much as you do.
Make Sure Your Employees Always Know What’s Going on and What They Can Expect
Just as you hate to be blindsided while driving, the same is true when it comes to work. Show your employees your respect by making sure they’re aware of upcoming changes, no matter how small they might be. You never know how a sudden small change can completely obliterate an employee’s “work flow.” In addition to informing employees of upcoming changes, be honest about why those changes are taking place. Your team is integral to the success of your company, and they deserve to know what’s going on and why. Treat them as equals and less like employees.
Give Your Employees Feedback
Getting and giving praise is great, but giving your employees honest and constructive feedback on how they can improve their performance is even better. You don’t always have to wait for performance reviews to let your team know how they’re doing and the new goals they can set for themselves.
Proper communication is essential for every type of relationship, both professional and personal. While you’re implementing the above suggestions, take some time to learn your employees’ first names and address them as such. Rather than resorting to raises and benefits to make your employees want to stick around, learn how to talk to them in a way they’ll truly appreciate.
This blog was written by Dilip Barot, Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Etech Global Services, and founder of Creative Choice Group, headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Etech employs 2,700 team members across the US, India and Jamaica. If you would like to learn more about Etech, please contact us at info@etechgs.com for more information.
