7 Ways to Keep Your Employees Happy
Many people say seven is a lucky number. There were seven wonders of the ancient world and there are seven rows on the periodic table. Even ladybugs have gotten into the act with seven spots on their backs. Seven is also a great number when it comes to communication, which is the focus of our series for July (the seventh month, by the way). To kick things off, we’ll take a look at your employees, more specifically, how to keep them happy.
The first answer that may come to mind is money and benefits, and it’s true that these things are important. However, as employee satisfaction surveys have shown, they aren’t the only things. That’s where great communication comes into play. Here are 7 ways that great communication can keep your employees smiling.
Be consistent. No matter how you might be feeling on any given day, employees should see the same you every time. That way they know what to expect. Employees have enough to worry about without wondering whether they’re going to be dealing with Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde come Monday morning.
Keep them informed. No one likes working in the dark. Employees want to know not only what they’re doing, but also why. They want to understand how their work fits into the larger picture. Always keep them in the loop whenever possible.
Don’t be afraid to let them take on new responsibilities. Would you want to do the same thing for years on end? Employees like growth and new challenges too. It can be a bit of a risk sometimes, since you never know how they’ll take to their new responsibilities, but the alternative is stagnation and burnout.
Listen to their input. Employees produce more when they feel like they have an active role in the way things are done. Whether it’s an anonymous suggestion box or feedback from one-on-one meetings, take their suggestions into account and then follow it up with action.
Set clear goals and expectations. The best time to set goals and expectations is at the beginning. That way you have an established relationship with established rules, and that forms the basis for any interactions going forward. Taking the guesswork out reduces stress for both you and your employee.
Recognize their progress. Like you, your employees have overcome challenges to become successful at their jobs. Recognize their achievements with awards or other perks or even a simple thank you.
Make it fun. Work is work, but that doesn’t mean it has to be a miserable slog. Try to make it enjoyable. Put on a smile and face your challenges with a good sense of humor. Work to create a positive atmosphere where people come to work not only because they want a paycheck but because it’s a place they genuinely want to be.
It’s no secret that a happy employee is a more productive one. We all want to feel that we’re wanted and our contributions are valued. These 7 tips can go a long way to achieving a happy workplace, even if you don’t have the means to hand out huge bonuses and elaborate perks.