Employee Engagement

When was the last time you had a 1-on-1 discussion with each of your team members to find out what they like most and least about their jobs and how you can help them do even better?  Start now!  Set aside at least 20 minutes per employee.  Set aside time for a few meetings each week until you have met with everyone on your team.  Do this at least once each quarter. The more you can communicate with each of your employees and find out what really makes them tick, the more apt your team is to be engaged and successful.

Some questions to ask your employees:

• If you could give up one aspect of your job, what would it be?
• If you were running the company, what would you do differently?
• How can we help you to be the best you can be?  
• What task would you like to try right now?

Are your team members in competition with one another?

Maybe you have a sales team, for example, and each person is focused solely on his/her goals.  Team members aren't getting along and are "back-stabbing" each other.  Find a common goal for your team. If the goal is met, celebrate!

 
Things To Avoid:

• Micromanaging.  Set general guidelines and expectations, but allow employees the freedom to do their jobs.
• Increased workloads without a strategy for managing them.  Find a way for work to get done without undue stress on any one individual.
• Surprises! Communicate, communicate, communicate.  Explain why change is necessary and what you expect the future to hold.

Until next time...

Sheryl Tuchman, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
http://tools2succeed.com/