Why You Should Appreciate Your Employees
Posted on May 14, 2015 by Ildiko Oravecz, One of Thousands of Business Coaches on Noomii.
What's the easiest way you can boost morale in the workplace? It's easy: expressing genuine gratitude.
Have you seen the film Office Space? A hilarious portrayal of life in a stereotypical office environment, it has become a cult classic. Why? Because the characters’ situations are exaggerated versions of the same realities many of us face at work: being overlooked, taken for granted, expected to work hard for no recognition, and made to feel utterly replaceable. Except in the film, the main characters decide they’ve had enough, and when they take matters into their own hands, the business literally goes up in flames.
What if the characters in this film had been appreciated? What if their boss had actually cared about them, and expressed gratitude for their contributions to the company? There wouldn’t have been a film, because it would’ve been pretty boring to watch happy, motivated employees working hard to make themselves and the company successful.
Is your business a real-life version of the film Office Space? Are your employees going through the motions, feeling invisible and unappreciated, and hating their jobs? If so, something needs to change, and lucky for you, it’s a simple fix: You’ve got to express gratitude and let them know they are valued.
In her book The Carrot Within, Anita Fontana talks about “the depreciation mindset.” It’s when people feel weak, powerless, and unappreciated. And it causes big problems for companies, including lower productivity, decreased revenue, and higher employee turnover.
An employee’s depreciation mindset is often caused by factors like:
-Feeling unappreciated or overlooked by supervisors.
-Feeling that their work-life balance is out of control.
-Recognition and bonuses being given to people known to be the boss’s “favorites”
-Being micro-managed and not trusted to make reasonable decisions
-Being criticized for their weaknesses or mistakes rather than appreciated for their strengths
But having a boss who expresses genuine gratitude can combat a depreciation mindset, boosting morale and building a positive environment for staff and supervisors alike. And that’s better than anything you’ll find on the big screen.
Showing appreciation to your employees for their loyalty and hard work is actually pretty easy. And contrary to what many bosses think, acknowledgment doesn’t have to be monetary. In fact, smaller personal gestures often mean more to employees.
1. Acknowledge your employees. Smile and say hello when you see them. Call them by name. In every interaction, be respectful, and try to make them feel good about themselves. That will show you care, and it will mean more to them than you know.
2. Sing their praises. Whether they’ve just landed a big account, stepped up to help in a pinch, or they fixed the broken copy machine, find something to praise your employees for. Let them know that you pay attention, and that you value what they do. And let the rest of the company know it, too. From mailroom staff to top executives, everyone appreciates genuine kudos.
3. Listen attentively. Even if it’s for a brief moment in the hallway, when you have a conversation with them, focus. If they have a concern or suggestion, hear them out, and assure them you’ll address it. Then do it. Being truly heard makes a big difference in employee engagement.
4. Be thoughtful. Write a quick, personal thank-you note to let them know what they’re doing right. On a card or via email, taking the time to contact them directly will make a big impression and make them feel special. And if you want to really up your game, give them a little gift. Do they love coffee? A Starbucks gift card is an inexpensive way to say thanks for a job well done.
