Most employers have been an employee at some point in their careers and will, therefore, be aware of the importance and influence of positive leadership. As an employer, people look to you to make decisions and implement procedures and measures to create a harmonious, productive, inclusive environment. Looking after your team is crucial for maximising the chances of achieving objectives. Here are some best practice guidelines to bear in mind to ensure you get the best out of your employees and vice-versa.
Understanding the importance of health and wellbeing
As the boss of a business, it’s understandable to focus on sales, profits and customers, but you should never underestimate the importance of caring for your team and prioritising health and wellbeing. Good physical and mental health contribute to a positive working environment and enhanced creativity, productivity and efficiency. If you don’t already have policies in place to promote health, now is the time to think about ways to encourage healthy living. There are several steps you can take from subsidising gym memberships and providing nutritious meals in the canteen to making time for people to attend exercise classes and providing access to digital solutions like the LifeWorks platform. Ask your employees questions about how they feel about work and life in general, urge them to make suggestions and share ideas and look at what other companies are doing.
Rewarding effort and results
We all want to feel valued and respected. If you’re working flat out on a project, the last thing you want is for your efforts to go unnoticed. It’s human nature to respond positively to praise and to strive to please others. As an employer, it’s critical to show that you are grateful for your employees’ hard work and dedication. If you never congratulate your staff, or you don’t thank them for late nights or 6am starts, there’s every chance they will lose motivation and question why they should make the effort again. Reward results and endeavour and go the extra mile to show that you appreciate every individual.
Making work more enjoyable
The average employee spends around 36 hours per week at work. There will be days when the workload is high and stress levels rise, but it’s important to inject a bit of fun and encourage employees to enjoy themselves from time to time. Burnout is an increasingly pertinent threat in the modern workplace, and if people are stressed out, exhausted and unhappy, they might not be able to give each task their all. You don’t have to kit your office out with pool tables, ball pits or slides, but the occasional early finish, a monthly after-work drink, or a treat on an employee’s birthday might help to lift the mood.
Most of us have had brilliant bosses, as well as those who haven’t been memorable for the right reasons. As an employer, it’s vital to understand the impact of strong leadership and to commit to looking after your staff as best you can. Prioritise health and wellbeing, reward effort and try and make the working day a little more enjoyable.
- DISCLOSURE – This post has been written by an outside source.
