As a business owner in the 21st century, you’ll be faced with many challenges that previous generations may never have had to deal with. There is growing pressure from the government to become more sustainable, all whilst contending with the issues brought about by the pandemic, including social distancing and remote working. It can often feel like you’re spinning plates, but there are some things you will naturally prioritise. For many managers and owners, supporting their employees is top of the list.
It can be argued that the pandemic has made it more difficult to support employees, with so many extra considerations and unique circumstances needing to be taken into account. However, there are also more opportunities now whereby you can demonstrate your support and help your team to do their best, even if they’re working away from the office. Here are some of the ways you can do just that.
Communicate Effectively
Communication skills have been put to the test over the past couple of years, with in-person meetings and catch-ups being so few and far between. Though it may require an extra effort to maintain effective communication streams whilst your team is working from home, it’s imperative that you make a conscious effort to keep employees informed and well advised.
Poor communication from senior management can lead to a whole host of problems. In the first instance, it can lead to a lack of clarity over job responsibilities, which could hinder the productivity of your team. In the long-run, ongoing communication issues can be a contributing factor to workplace burnout, which will further impact on an employee’s productivity, as well as their general wellbeing.
Remember, communication is a two-way street. As well as being told what to do, employees will want to know their ideas or suggestions are being received and listened to, so make it easy for them to come to you with any ideas for improving processes in or out of the office.
Build A Strong Workplace Culture
Building a cohesive, productive team will always start with the working environment and conditions. There are so many different elements that make up a sound workplace culture that should be considered. For instance, it’s important to set clear expectations and goals for your employees. This can not only help with motivation, but it’ll give them clarity over their role, which is particularly crucial when working remotely.
Many modern workplaces also attach great importance to implementing a strong social element to the business. With in-person meet-ups back on the agenda, set the time aside to give your team the chance to bond outside a professional setting. This is one of the many ways you can encourage employees to have a healthy work-life balance. You may find the building of relationships to be beneficial to the wider business, and it’ll also help workers to feel more valued and supported by their employer.
Lead By Example
Anyone in a leadership position knows that one of the most important aspects of their job is setting the tone for their team. After all, how can you expect your employees to behave in a certain way if you're not doing the same? That's why it's so important for leaders to lead by example. If you want your team to be punctual, then you need to be punctual yourself. If you want them to be honest, then you need to be honest as well.
Showing your team that you're willing to live up to the high standards you're setting for them is essential for gaining their trust and respect. And when your team trusts and respects you, they're more likely to follow your lead.
Thanks to John Bramer at 6xdegree Media for writing this article!