Everybody wants a relaxing work environment, and it's natural for employees to want a good relationship with their HR leaders, CEOs and managers.
Are you a good leader for your people? Can you make them feel respected and valued?
In today's rapid-paced, short-term and limited-resource workspace, a CEO needs trustworthy employees willing to go to extreme lengths to achieve greatness. How important is employee engagement for a company?
First of all, it all depends on who's running it. Modern employees are tired of old-fashioned office politics; they're only willing to go to their jobs as long as they get the respect they deserve.
Here are four initiatives leaders should take into account to create a better working environment for employees.
Allow your employees to test new ideas
Encourage your employees to take matters into their own hands. Allow them to make mistakes and keep them motivated by supporting their ideas.
In today's business world, people want to feel part of a team; they want to have the freedom to take charge to showcase their true potential. Efficient leadership is all about trusting your people by giving up control.
Financial incentives are not enough to keep your people engaged. It's all about letting them express their ideas without being censored by their supervisors. A passionate employee is looking to create impact. They’re determined to work hard, but must be allowed to express ideas freely.
Company leaders should be excellent communicators
As a company leader, you should never stop communicating objectives, goals and visions. It's really important for an entrepreneur to have active conversations with employees.
Don't hold back, and prove to your employees that you're an open-minded person. Talk about everything, share secrets, and find a way to make employees feel like part of a family.
Engagement at the workplace can only be attained when the person in charge doesn't treat workers with superiority.
Nobody likes to be part of a team where the leader is aggressive, because that kind of attitude makes workers feel undervalued, stressed and tense.
CEOs shouldn't hide behind their title
Just because you're the owner of a company, the CEO or the manager, that doesn't give you the right to abuse your employees.
A true leader shouldn't be afraid to reveal the person behind the title. Employees want leaders they can rely on; they want to relate to them, gain their respect, and not be afraid to make mistakes.
A title doesn't make you superior — it makes you superficial.
Employees want to deal with leaders who are humble and approachable, yet they also want people from whom they can actually learn something.
As a leader, it's paramount you reflect your genuine intentions. Why should you hide behind a title? Let employees meet the real you, build a relationship, and together help the company become profitable.
Keep it fun and simple
Today's working environment should be simple, fun and interactive.
Things have changed a lot over the years. No more cubicles, no more single workspaces, no more silence at the office.
Modern business has adopted the idea of a shared office space, and studies have proven that when people work together, they have increased chances of finding better solutions.
How far are you willing to go to keep your employees engaged and motivated? Are you ready to make some serious changes?
The key ingredient to a pleasant working environment is communication — that's it.
If you — the leader, entrepreneur, CEO or manager — can find the patience to listen to the needs and wants of your employees, they will have the courage to speak up, and thus, help you and your organization attain greatness.