Satisfaction in a firm does not mean just an office full of smiling faces: motivation and enthusiasm for work will also affect the business performance of your company. So how to achieve a better performance from your staff? Start from the top with your management. Being a manager is not easy; being an exceptional manager is even more complex. However, the fruits of your efforts are the sweeter: higher quality work, fewer sick days, better retention. The Business 2 Community website has prepared some tips on how to become an above-average leader.
The consequences of employee engagement
A multi-year Gallup study measured the impact of involvement of American employees, engaging in the research over 25 million workers from various industries and locations. The results of the top 25% business units showed:
- 22% higher profitability
- 21% higher productivity
- 10% higher customer satisfaction
- 37% lower absence
- 48% lower accident rate
- 41% fewer quality defects
In this country we can also achieve great results. Are your managers capable of it?
1. They see the company in a wider context and have excellent strategic thinking. This can ensure that the activity of their unit is consistent with other initiatives and activities of the company. They identify the strengths of their teams and use them to achieve specific objectives. Then with the support of the staff they help to improve the overall image of the company.
2. Lead people, not machines. They realise their staff are not machines but people with their own dreams, goals and motivations. These need supporting. Thus they do everything to help their employees develop and maintain their desire to work.
3. They let their staff make decisions. Good managers know that their task is to accelerate the ability of people to do their job. They give them the tools and techniques to expand their thinking and creativity to tackle challenges.
4. Appreciate the small and the large contributions of each employee. The reward also may be small or large: public recognition, non-financial and financial benefits. If your staff feel appreciated, this will be evident in their efforts.
5. Mentor their team to help overcome difficult obstacles. They invest time and money to strengthen the personal growth of employees. Training and development can become a key element of any job. You can also schedule 30-minute weekly meetings with your staff, when you help them overcome their fears and celebrate successes. Help them to perceive their important role in the company's mission.
6. They define common goals and evaluate progress. Teresa M. Amabile and Steven J. Kramer in their study clearly show that employee satisfaction at work primarily depends on whether they see their progress. You, the leader, may set clear goals for your department and individual positions. Include your staff in decision-making about their role in achieving the objectives. Offer them a way to measure their activities and deliverables.
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