1. Be more visibleIf you’re the type of boss that likes to keep themselves locked away from subordinates, it might be time for a rethink. The vast majority of employees prefer their bosses to be visible and to feel like they are taking an interest in what everyone does. It doesn’t take much effort on your behalf, either. A daily walk around to find out what people are doing takes no time at all, and it can make a big difference. Be interested, friendly – and be happy yourself. Emotions are contagious so that a happy boss can pass those positive feelings around.
2. Always do what you say
Trust is an integral part of any relationship. And, as a business leader, you have a lot of relationships you have to maintain. People can forgive mistakes or forgetfulness, but they will always remember a lack of honesty. It is essential that you are truthful with your staff, and always deliver on your promises. You’ll need to be tough when it comes to disciplinary issues, for example, but also fair and even handed. And, if you give someone the opportunity of a promotion if they deliver results, you cannot renege on it. Employers who are honest and act with integrity will always win over the hearts and minds of the vast majority of their employees.
3. Respect your employeesPeople respond far more positively if they believe they have the respect of others. And, if you can offer this simple courtesy to your employees, you will see better results. Respect people, and they will engage with your business more, and be more productive. They will be committed to your company, and serve you with more loyalty, too. The result of that is a better performance for your business – and more profits to enjoy.
5. Set up targetsTargets help people focus on the tasks that need doing. However, it’s not good enough to just set goals – you also need to explain the wider picture. You have to give your employees an idea of your overall goals if you want them to buy into your dreams. Do so, and you will have a far more committed team who were willing to work with speed and higher quality. The best example of this would be in a factory. You have a lot of people working for you who are doing repetitive tasks day in, day out. It will be easy for them to become disillusioned if they feel they are just doing the same thing without an end in sight. Setting goals can help drive them on to completion – it might be a run of a particular product, for example. It will help them chart their progress, gives them a sense of purpose, and they will be more productive.
- 6. Ensure a safe workplacePeople who work in a safe and comfortable workplace are more productive – it’s as simple as that. So, not only do you have a legal responsibility to look after employees, but it also brings a lot of benefits, too. A look over at employment law specialists www.elliswhittam.com reveals some key factors to consider. First of all, you should have a robust training programme in place. It will ensure your employees understand the safety aspects of their roles. You should also have regular audits to make sure you identify any areas of your business that need more stringent protection. Finally, your health and safety policy needs to be watertight to protect you and your employees from the fallout from accidents at work. Get all this right, and people will have less to worry about, and will be happier and more productive.
- 7. Improve the office setupPeople are also happier when they are more comfortable. Make sure that you are using adjustable chairs and desks so that everyone can work without fear of repetitive strain injury. Make sure the temperature is just right so that no one is too cold or too hot. A cold office can be a drain on productivity, and too much heat can lead to longer periods of fatigue and drowsiness. Bring some plants into the office, too – they can help improve the atmosphere of the place, as well as improving the air quality. Finally, don’t be afraid of hanging up some nice artwork around your office. It brings a little beauty into the workplace, makes people happier, and also encourages creative thought.
8. Offer training and opportunityWorkers will respond well if they feel they have more of a future. Nobody likes to imagine they will be doing the same job over and over again, without any self-development. Statistics show that happy workforces have many training opportunities. And, they work for companies that have clear lines of progression. Yes, arranging training and education can cost money, but there is no doubt whatsoever it is worth the investment. It will increase employee loyalty by a significant amount, for a start. But, it will also bring in new skills to your business that you would not have access to otherwise. The business world changes at an astonishing rate, and if you aren’t training your staff, you will find that you lose out on new ways of working. Career progression and training shows employees they have value and are vital team members.
9. Encourage failureOK, so we aren’t suggesting that you demand failure from your employees, of course. But, letting people fail is often one of the best things you can do as a business. People learn a lot more from their mistakes and failures than they do from their successes. But, fear of failure can lead to a paralysed workforce that is afraid of taking risks. If you celebrate your failures and those of others, it will show your team that they should never be fearful of making mistakes. They will embrace them as an opportunity, instead. It’s also worth pointing out that when something goes wrong, it isn’t always down to people. It could be a weakness in your system that is, in fact, the direct cause of the failure. Make that clear, and you will find people are happier to make braver choices.
10. Celebrate achievementsBe sure that you are celebrating the achievements of your company – and your employees. There are several reasons for doing this. First of all, people are happier when they get recognition for their achievements – and rightly so. You need to celebrate their successes as a reward, but also to encourage others to step up to the plate. All successful companies understand this simple fact. You will find evidence of recognising achievements in each of them. We’re not suggesting that you push the boat out every time someone makes a sale, of course. However, with structured targets and achievable goals, you will tap into your employee’s happiness. And, you will give them a route to recognition and reward.
10. Encourage flexible workingFinally, think about introducing flexible working to your workplace. It’s not suitable for all businesses – retailers or the food industry, for example. But, in most industries, there is nothing to stop you from offering flexible work patterns and the opportunity to work from home. Flexible working can boost productivity by a significant amount as people are more focussed on their work. It also helps your employees achieve a better work-life balance. And, it also shows that you trust your workers to do their jobs, without the need for peering over their shoulders. In short, flexible working brings far more benefits than risks and is worth looking at if it’s within the scope of your business model.
As you can see, there are some simple things you can do to improve your employee happiness levels. Try them out and see how you get on. We are pretty sure you should start seeing better results in many areas of your business if you give them a try!
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