It’s absolutely essential to create a workplace where everyone working there feels one hundred percent valued – it’s going to help build a thriving business with a motivated and productive team, not to mention that it’s just the right thing to do anyway. And the great thing about this is that it doesn’t take a huge budget or complicated programs and ideas to make it happen – you can start doing it right now. With that in mind, keep reading to find out how to build a workplace where everyone feels valued.
Start With Genuine Communication
The fact is that recognition, which is what you’ll really need in the end, all comes down to being able to connect with people, and that comes from open and honest communication – that’s basically the foundation of a positive workplace culture. As a manager, you should regularly check in with your employees, and not just about work tasks either – ask them about how they’re doing generally and if they need to talk, they’ll always know you’ll be there to listen.
It’s also a good idea to encourage feedback when you check in (perhaps make it a weekly or fortnightly thing) and make sure you actively listen to what’s being said – those suggestions and ideas could mean you’re able to improve your business or perhaps fix some issues that you wouldn’t otherwise know about, and that’s going to help people feel not just valued but safe and secure too.
Regularly Recognize Contributions
No one wants their hard work to go unnoticed, and regular recognition – whether it’s for big successes or small ones – shows employees that you see and appreciate what they’re doing for you and your business.
And doing this shouldn’t be something you need to worry about because not every recognition has to be a grand gesture; you can just say thank you and that will go a long way, although for a more structured approach, you can use the best employee recognition software to make things easier and to ensure the entire process is personalized because if it’s not, your team will soon spot it and they won’t be so happy with the generic praise.
Create Opportunities For Growth
One of the best ways to show employees you value them is by making sure you invest in their future and give them opportunities for growth and development – that means doing things like offering mentorship programs, training, and the chance to take on a range of different challenges within their role (or even outside of it).
When people see that their workplace supports their career development, they’ll be much more motivated to do their best and even go the extra mile – plus, if your team are gaining new skills, it’s a win-win because those skills can help build your business.
Show Flexibility And Empathy
Sometimes feeling valued comes down to knowing your employer understands your needs, and flexibility like remote work options, flexible schedules, or time off to handle personal matters when it’s needed, really does help to build trust and make people feel valued.
Take the time to understand your employees’ challenges (perhaps during your regular check ins) and see how you can support them because it really will make a difference.
