Do you love your staff?

February is the month of love and on Valentine’s Day, we’re posing the question – when was the last time you showed your staff how much you love them?

Many businesses would be nowhere without their employees – imagine if you went into work tomorrow and every member of your staff had left, never to return. Would you even know where to start fulfilling all of their individual roles?

People who feel appreciated are far more likely to be productive and happy in their role. But showing your staff that you love them takes more than flowers and chocolates on one designated day of the year. Here are some thoughts on how to demonstrate your appreciation.

Give a choice of rewards

Not everyone is motivated by the same thing. For some, money will be the key motivator whilst for others an additional day off work or a team event will yield the best results. If you have or are planning to introduce a rewards programme, allow each member of staff to choose their own reward from a selection you are happy to provide. That way, everyone should be equally as motivated as they will each be working towards something they want rather than a generic ‘reward’.

Let employees make important decisions

Being a good boss sometimes means stepping aside and letting others step up in your absence. Allowing others to make decisions in turn paves the way for them to take ownership of the strategy or direction they have chosen. In addition, showing someone that you trust their opinion and expertise often goes far further than offering a short-term reward. If you do hand over the reins to allow members of your team to make key decisions, having a debriefing meeting and giving feedback helps the individual to feel supported whilst also ensuring you stay in the loop.

Be transparent

It can sometimes seem like you’re fighting a losing battle in getting your staff to do things in the way you want them.

Yet many bosses fail to share enough information with their employees; expecting them to follow a certain direction without first telling them where they’re going! Keeping people informed goes a long way toward making them feel involved, generating a ‘we’re in this together’ mentality.

By being honest and open with your staff, you may find that they mirror the same attitude back to you; coming to you in the early stages of having detected an issue rather than leaving it to rumble on in the background and grow into something bigger and more troublesome.

Developing a good workplace culture with a productive team and individuals that are both hardworking and loyal can take time and is most often an ongoing ‘work in progress’. However, showing staff your appreciation and certainly extending them privileges and perks can be seen many fold in the effort and loyalty they give to the job. To quote Richard Branson: Look after your staff and they will look after your customers. So, this month, how about taking a bit of time to show your team how much they mean.