The year 2020 coined the term “disruptive” due to the life-changing events that occurred. This disruption offered both benefits and drawbacks. The former includes unprecedented advances in technology and powerful insights into the psychology of employees.
Taking a strong leadership stance and addressing employee needs and desires is more important than ever. It is especially important when workers have been through a great deal of turmoil and uncertainty. The cost of failing to do so is steep:
- 79 percent of employees indicated they will quit their job if they feel a lack of leadership appreciation. (1)
- A mere 2.6 percent of those in management roles are highly engaged, setting a detrimental tone for their employees. (2)
Fortunately, employers seem to recognize these facts and have been proactive. Recently there has been a 9 percent increase in Google search interest related to the term “team-building.” (3)
These efforts are admirable, but without listening, they will inevitably fall short. When leadership listens carefully and continuously to employees, they lay the foundation to implement the following tips effectively:
Simple Solutions Are Best
Turbulent periods offer an excellent opportunity to examine processes and systems that may no longer work, require streamlining, and formulate solutions. While it may seem like complex solutions are perfect for fixing complex problems, simple is best when it comes to answers. When coming up with solutions, leadership should ask questions such as the following:
- Which elements need improvement?
- What changes will make a significant impact?
- What changes have employees indicated are a top priority for them?
Solutions should always make life easier, not more difficult, for employees – especially when workers may already be undergoing changes and uncertainty. To this end, leadership should always get employee input before solidifying any changes that affect them. This does not mean employees have the final say. It means their input is considered when making the final decision.
Put People First
While this tip may sound flowery, it is a practical approach for running a successful business. At the end of the day, even the most professional employees are people with emotions, including the desire to feel appreciated.
Leadership should make time to meet with employees and listen wholeheartedly to what they have to say. Every employee has valuable contributions to make regardless of their title, role, education, training, or salary.
Solve Problems Together
The best leaders get in the trenches with employees and work with them to solve problems. The worst move leadership can make is to leave employees out of the problem-solving process. Doing so will make them feel like their contributions are not recognized or valued. This can lead to resistance to change, a decline in morale and hurt productivity.
On the other hand, when leadership encourages employees to come up with solutions and supports them in this endeavor, they convey the message that employees are a critical gear in the business’s machinery.
Integrity Matters
Employees need to trust leadership to get behind them and devote themselves to the company. What does integrity look like in the business world? Transparency is part of it, but true integrity involves more:
“Integrity is choosing courage over comfort; choosing what is right over what is fun, fast or easy; and choosing to practice your values rather than simply professing them.” – Brené Brown.
When leadership practices integrity in all aspects of business, employees will pick up on it and feel inspired to give the company their full commitment.
Demonstrate Resilience
Times of upheaval can be frightening; there is no denying that. Some employees will struggle with their anxiety. This is where leadership demonstrates resilience and a mindset that is continually looking ahead, not backward.
Yes, being realistic is essential. At the same time, challenges can provide exciting opportunities to do better in business. It is up to leadership to set a motivational example by continuing forward with optimism and determination.
Instead of looking at what cannot be done, leadership should look at what can be done. It is also imperative for leadership to find the silver lining. From there, leadership must communicate these positives to employees, so they are firmly entrenched in employees’ minds.
By focusing on the positive ways in which 2020 stood out and using the opportunity to improve employee relationships, companies will position themselves to reap the benefits of these circumstances.
Uncertain times call for creative thinking. Contact Gavel International to be inspired with solutions that connect and engage your people.
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SOURCES:
1 https://builtin.com/company-culture/company-culture-statistics
2 https://www.forbes.com/sites/joefolkman/2018/11/20/the-shocking-statistics-behind-uninspiring-leaders/#15aeccd72b65
3 https://www.thinkwithgoogle.com/consumer-insights/at-home-experience/
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