Four Ways to Improve Your Relationships with Staff

As a founder, CEO, manager or overseer, it’s important to understand that you’re not only a role model and a motivational leader for staff – you’re also a person in whom they can confide and share. It’s in light of this secondary role that this article examines how you, as a manager or person of responsibility, can forge lasting, robust relationships with those who work with you.

With four key tips listed below, you’ll learn how to approach this delicate subject with wisdom and empathy, enabling your employees to feel listened to and accepted in your company.

Regular One-to-Ones

There can be no alternative to giving and receiving one-to-one feedback with all the members of staff that you’re responsible for. It’s in these private meetings that you’re able to put your colleagues at ease, and ask them to share their experiences, their struggles, and their feedback.

For your part, this is primarily a listening exercise – though by offering key feedback, including positive comments, you’ll be able to motivate your staff to perform better on a daily and weekly basis. This is a time to connect – so use it wisely and patiently to understand the needs of your staff that bit better.

Feedback Sheets

Another way to get to know your staff and to listen to their concerns is to run a staff survey in your office, asking your workforce a number of questions that you’ll be able to track over time to see where you’re improving and where things are beginning to slip. These work best when they’re digitized – like the surveys provided by Inpulse.com, which collate your feedback data into an easy-to-read summary for your reflection.

Feedback helps employers act better, and gives you a unique window into the satisfaction of your staff.

Team-Building

Sometimes, it’s difficult to meet staff on their level when you’re in the office – the hierarchical structure, and occasional discipline that you have to distribute, tends to set you apart slightly. Nonetheless, if you’re interested in getting over this barrier, an informal team-building trip can be just the ticket. Whether you decide to build a raft together to cross an icy lake, or head to a clue-solving escape room as a team of equals, these events are great opportunities to hear more about your staff in an informal and relaxed setting – while also helping them bond together to overcome challenges.

Rewards and Thanks

Most staff members put in the hours and the hard work to get the job done. They may not be the most zealous staff members you’ve ever worked with, but they’re devoted to their jobs, motivated by your leadership, and keen to deliver on the targets that you set for them.

As such, it’s important that you recognize those members of staff who really are throwing their weight behind their work – and here, it’s crucial that you reward and thank individuals and teams for their dogged and determined contributions – including with vouchers, nights out, or gift hampers.

There you have it – four key ways in which you can forge better relationships with your staff in 2020 and beyond.