Employee Satisfaction – 7 Ways to Keep Your Team Happy

Far too many people in the business world fail to grasp the point that their job as manager is not just about leading but about leading effectively. Here are a few simple suggestions to keep your team energized, satisfied and, most importantly, happy:

1.    Listen & Learn – While the more veteran members of your team are more likely to have something valuable to contribute, you cannot overlook the more junior members. You did hire them for a reason, right? Cultivating an open and non-judgmental atmosphere is key to getting the most out of your people whether they have been there for ten years or just ten days.

2.    Communicate Effectively – There is nothing more frustrating than trying to read the mind of your boss especially when it comes to the details of an important project. For this reason, it is incumbent upon the manager to make his communications – written and oral – as crystal clear as possible. Not only will your subordinates appreciate the effort, you will be able to hold them far more accountable later on.

3.    Define Your Goals – In a similar vein, your team must know – without a shadow of a doubt – where they are headed and what the desired result is. Otherwise, useless conjecture and often competing itineraries will typically develop. For you, as a manager, keeping the team focused and on track is job number one.

4.    Be Proactive, Not Reactive – The essence of being an effective manager is foreseeing problems before they even develop. Without this talent, you are surely lost. In short, the identification and resolution process is far easier than any “damage control” after the fact. No one gets defensive, no one feels threatened and everyone is happier- especially management.

5.    Understand That They Have a Life – With the competing demands of both the bosses above and the staff below, it is easy for a manager to lose track of his own life, not to mention that of his subordinates. Still, no matter your philosophy, “work to live” or “live to work,” your employees may have other ideas. In short, it is important to remember that employees have other lives outside of work.

6.    Work Hard but Play a Little Too – As they say, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” Keep this aphorism in mind when tending to your team. Driving them hard is a good technique when you are under the gun but you must also realize that there are times to lighten the load. In fact, your success as well as theirs relies on this judicious use of power.

7.    Be Socially Aware – No doubt, not everyone has an agenda – still, be careful – the newest generation of employees is far more aware of “what’s happening” than their predecessors because of the Internet and social media. The best companies take an active stance on relevant issues or contribute to a worthwhile charity to easily increase the engagement of their employees.

A Final Thought – As you can see, keeping your team happy is not rocket science. Instead, it takes time, effort and, most importantly, some meaningful thought. In a nutshell, take some time every morning to decide on the best approach. Whether it is listening or communicating, defining goals or being proactive, or just understanding their priorities, being on the same page with your employees is the best way to keep them happy.