6 Ways to Show Employees You Care
That Don't Cost Anything
Building relationships with your employees is the surest way to show them that you value them as individuals and as people. Here are 6 simple things that you can do that go a long way towards building solid relationships with the people on your team.
Note: Each one of these topics could go into a much deeper discussion, but for the sake of usability, I’ll touch on each of them at a high level.
1. Regular Check-ins
This comes in 2 forms: the 1-on-1 meeting and daily check-ins. One thing that all employees want is to be recognized and appreciated as individuals. Which means you have to get to know them as individuals. They don’t want to be a “resource” (no adding “human” in front doesn’t help). They don’t want to be known as an asset.
Spend a little time interacting with them as people, not as employees or someone doing a task/project. Ask how they are doing, what is happening in their lives, and take a genuine interest in their lives and well-being. These little interactions are what build the foundation for trust.
2. Active Listening
Actively listening has become a popular word in the business world. Almost to the point where it has lost its meaning. What it means (to me at least) is that you are listening to truly understand. You aren’t thinking of your response. You aren’t thinking of how the conversation will end.
Active listening means I am listening to fully understand. I may need to ask a few questions. I may need to clarify. I certainly should find some way to acknowledge what I heard and confirm that I heard correctly.
Even if you are not a great active listener, the people on your team will appreciate that you are trying.
3. Recognition and Appreciation
Acknowledge employees' contributions and achievements publicly and privately. If you do nothing else, be sure to say “thank you” regularly and sincerely. A genuine “thank you for...” will do more than anything else to let the individual know you are paying attention and care.
One survey of employees showed that 70% of people believed that morale would improve if the manager would just offer a genuine thank you more often. Yes, your employees want raises/bonuses/promotions. They are also smart enough to know that those aren’t going to happen often. A thank you has just as much impact and can be done every day!
4. Provide Support
Offer resources, training, and mentorship opportunities to help employees develop their skills and advance in their careers. This shows that the manager is committed to their growth and success.
Also, when they have challenges, ask how you can help and support them. Ask them if they need you to step in. Ask them what you can do to help. Don’t solve the problem for them, but make sure you are there encouraging and offering the help they need.
Bonus: this is a great way to help them learn to communicate effectively. Teach them to ask for help and ask for what they need. Show them that they can do it and it is not something to be avoided.
5. Empowerment
Empowerment is another one of those popular buzz words. In short, treat your employees like adults. The workplace for decades has become systematized to make workers feel less than human and less like adults.
Trust employees to make decisions and give them autonomy in their work. This fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility, which can lead to increased motivation and engagement.
6. Address Concerns Promptly
This one is actually tied to #2 Active Listening. If you are listening, you can identify the concerns. Once identified, address them. You will be seen as someone who can be trusted to act.
Take employees' concerns seriously and address them promptly and transparently. This demonstrates that their well-being and satisfaction are a priority.
Conclusion
Do these 6 things consistently, and your team will be engaged and productive. The key is that you must do them consistently. Doing them only when you want something will ruin any positive effect.