How to Keep a Staff Happy and Involved
One of your primary responsibilities at your place of employment is to manage other people, which is always a challenge. You need your staff to be efficient and effective, but you also want to make sure they are relatively happy and keep turnover low. What are the basic steps to accomplishing your goal of keeping the staff happy?
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Instructions
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Think About the Best Supervisor You Have Ever Worked For
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Involve your staff in decisions when possible.
Obviously you will not involve staff in every decision pertaining to your business or organization, but ask for their input about specific projects and let them express their thoughts and ideas. Employees feel valued when their supervisor asks for their opinions as opposed to strictly telling them what to do at all times. Do not be so egotistical as to think you have all the answers. Often staff members can offer helpful and valuable suggestions on streamlining operations and completing projects, and more efficient ways to work with clients. If you take the advice of a staff member or utilize an idea she has offered, always give credit where credit is due: to the person who originally made the suggestion. -
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Take an interest in your staff on a personal level.
You don't have to throw each staff person a birthday party, but take an interest in staff members' personal lives . . . to a point. Ask about spouses and children, acknowledging the fact that your employees have a life outside the office. It is also OK to share basic information about your personal life as well. Doing so allows staff members to see you as a real person and not just the supervisor. -
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Show appreciation for the work your staff does. A simple thank-you goes a long way.
One of the biggest complaints employees have is the feeling that they are unappreciated by their employers. A simple thank-you, an acknowledgment in front of others that a person performed a task above expectations or a small reward will nearly always be met with gratitude. Pay raises at review time, even a small raise, is critical. Nothing lowers staff morale more than the lack of adequate compensation or appreciation for the hard work they do. -
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Do not gossip about staff members with other employees.
An employee will not give you 100 percent if he suspects you are talking or gossiping about him behind his back to his colleagues. Gossiping greatly impedes your credibility to all staff, as everyone quickly realizes you may very well demonstrate the same behavior regarding them. -
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Be a leader whom your employees look up to and in whom they have faith.
Demonstrate ethical behavior. Show your employees the most effective way to work with clients and attract customers. Be a role model in your company or organization. If you set the tone for what is expected, you will find that your efforts to keep a happy and content staff will definitely pay off.
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Tips & Warnings
Hold holiday parties, institute dress-down days, send employees to events. When reprimanding a staff member, do so by treating the other person with dignity and respect. Do not raise your voice at employees; they are not your children. Always give staff members credit when using their ideas and work.
If you are friends with your staff members, keep in mind that this friendship may make reprimanding or correcting them more difficult when necessary. Be polite and appreciative, but do not allow staff to get the better of you or take advantage of your generosity.
