Employee engagement has always been vital to organizational success. But in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s more critical than ever before, with more than half of workers considering a job change before the year-end. Fortunately, there are some easy steps you can take to build stronger relationships with your employees and reduce turnover!

Become a Better Manager

Strong leaders wear a variety of hats. They know when to advocate for the company and when to advocate for their team. They are experts at conflict resolution, they can balance the big picture alongside the details, and they know how to set reasonable goals and inspire team members to meet them. If you have some weak areas in your managerial style, brush up on the basics to become more effective.

Build Better Programs

You may already know that you need to implement employee engagement initiatives. But it’s not enough to just haphazardly bring yoga mats into the office or schedule a random employee appreciation lunch. Identify the influencers within your team and set a meeting with them. Ask for their suggestions for employee engagement activities and programs that will be truly meaningful to your workforce.

Boost the Quantity and Quality of Feedback

To build a better relationship with your employees, improve your feedback. Offer immediate positive feedback when a team member is successful, even if the success was small. Also, develop a regular performance review system in which you can dig into specific projects or offer constructive feedback on specific employee issues. Make sure you evaluate employees on specific, measurable data points, and communicate your expectations in advance.

Don’t forget to set up channels for employees to give you feedback. Whether you prefer an email or a face-to-face meeting, let them know that you want to hear what they have to say. And then follow up in a timely manner.

Spend Time on the Floor

Take the time to learn what it’s like on the floor! Don’t just do a quick walkthrough. Stay for a few hours. Chat with your employees. Try each person’s job. Ask them to explain the challenges they face day to day. Working alongside your team and soliciting their thoughts will go a long way toward helping them feel more supported.

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