Create High-Performing Employees Who Are Connected to the Success of Your Company
When you hear the term ‘emotionally connected’ you probably think of personal relationships. You can also be emotionally connected to your work, a goal, or an outcome. Think of how much more productive and harmonious the workplace would be if we could all be connected to our work. What can small business owners do to create this positive atmosphere? It takes dedication and the rewards are immense in so many ways. Here’s a good start:
Hire The Right Fit for the Position
Matching the right person to the right job is critical. When employees lead with their strengths, they tend to be more engaged performers who are committed to the goals of the company. When you avoid micromanaging and allow them to think, troubleshoot, and participate, they build an emotional connection to their work which contributes to the success of your business.
Clearly Communicate Your Vision
Clear communication is crucial. If you’ve been reading my posts, you’ll notice that I’ve said this ad nauseam. As the leader, sharing your vision for the company is even more important when you have under 10 employees. You must get everyone on the same page and connected to the outcome of each project and the overall success of the business. Clearly articulate your goals, so that they have something to work toward. Don’t overlook the need for a strategic business plan and a mission statement. Great businesses aren’t created solely from great ideas. You need more than that to succeed.
Be Laser Focused
As the owner of the business, success starts with you: you are the leader and leaders need focus. I tease some of my clients for having ‘shiny object syndrome,’ or SOS. I see it soooooo often. Leaders get distracted by the latest time-saving gadgets, new programs, and new ideas. While it’s great to evolve, constantly changing direction or jumping from new idea to new idea can be very confusing to your employees and it can keep you from sticking to the basics of good business. When you change your focus all the time, the people who work for you get frustrated because they never know what to expect. This can also breed mistrust.
Do your employees know what your mission is and your strategy to achieve that mission? If not, how can you convey it to them and make them part of it? I would argue that you have to say it clearly and frequently.
Meet With Your Employees Often
Holding regular meetings, even if they’re brief, keeps your team informed of what you want to accomplish and what’s expected of them. If they’re having any challenges, encourage them to speak up during the meeting and invite others to help come up with solutions. This can take the pressure off of you to solve everything, while empowering employees, and building cohesion within the group. It also gives individuals an opportunity to display their problem solving skills which could be helpful to you as you expand and find new roles for people. When your employees feel that their input is appreciated, it allows them to feel more emotionally connected to the company.
Don’t Allow Apathy to Permeate Your Team
Emotional connectedness is something that a lot of leaders ignore. Taking people along for the ride allows them to contribute to your corporate vision, and helps you to lessen the risk of creating apathy among your employees. When you only have a few employees, it only takes one apathetic individual to put a cog in the wheel of your progress. An apathetic employee will be detached and disconnected from the success of the company, and their work will reflect their attitude. Don’t underestimate the value of getting 100% employee buy-in. I’m not saying that it’s easy, but it is achievable. Doing the work up-front in the hiring process can save you headaches down the road. And, if you do make the wrong choice, know when to cut that employee loose. They’ll only infect the others.
A great leader is one who can harness the collective talent of all their employees and steer them toward a common goal- the success of the business.
What things do you do to make your employees feel emotionally connected to the company?
