The Gift of Consistent Employee Appreciation

I just finished wrapping Christmas presents and as is typical for me, I left it to the day before the holiday. I always think I have more time, but then I don’t get everything done. While I was wrapping gifts for my husband, I got thinking about giving and receiving in the workplace and the relationship between manager and staff and how each is dependent upon the other for success. The best departments I’ve seen are those where the manager both give to and receive from their employees.

Most managers try to spend time with each employee. They know that each needs coaching, feedback and/or mentoring. Unfortunately, just like my Christmas wrapping that waited until the last minute, a manager’s day gets filled with meetings, projects and hot fires, and suddenly her best intentions are postponed until the next day and the next.

The manager who makes spending time with employees a priority each day find they are on the receiving end of a wealth of gifts including loyalty, work ethic, higher productivity and more.

Here are a few ideas on how managers can give to their staff:

• Let them know they are trusted: Ensure they know you trust and depend on them. Your vote of confidence goes a long way in improving self-assurance. A confident, self-assured employee means a better person and a better department.
• Be transparent and give feedback: Don’t wait until something becomes an issue. Address issues promptly, both the good and the not-so-good. As managers, it’s easy for us to talk to staff regarding problems; we want them to know there could have been improvements. Making sure that we spend time with the employees when they do something well goes further than correcting them.
• Give them purpose and authority: Each time you ask someone to take on a new project or assist or train someone else, they feel empowered by your belief that they have more to offer than what is a typical work day for them. Everyone wants to be challenged. Everyone wants to be recognized for their potential to do more.

How does a manager receive from their staff? Not surprising, it’s the same things you’ve given them. When you give to them, you will receive their trust and loyalty by following you wherever your department needs to go. This is critical in the “crunch” times every department faces.

I have always encouraged my staff to give me input on anything from projects or processes. Because we trust each other, they understand that the final decision – and responsibility – is mine, but I want their input and feedback to ensure we haven’t missed a crucial step. Inspire your employees and they will inspire you.

Berni Hollinger helps companies solve problems through Leadership Training, Interim Leadership consulting and Restructuring. As a professional Training Instructor and CFO / Controller, she sees things differently.  As a highly-experienced CFO, Controller, Accountant, and Financial Consultant, she has led financial departments for Fortune 100 companies increasing bottom line growth and compassionately leading and training employees and restructuring processes to maximize profitability in the publishing, printing, subscriptions / fulfillment, manufacturing and transportation sectors. She is a Professional Quilter, and Quilting Instructor, creating lasting memories through exclusive designs of one-of-a-kind memory quilts

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