Workplace relationships are an essential element to the success of the organization. If you’re going to ignite the spark within your organization to develop cohesive, collaborate and empowered teams, you need to give the employees the path to success. Here are 6 ways to spark empowerment in your employees.
Give Employees a Choice
The last 5 years has been a whirlwind of change and adjustment. The pandemic caused many offices to close doors and pushed people to work remotely. Now that we’re a few years post-pandemic, many offices have either gone back in-office full time, while others have kept a hybrid schedule.
Don’t be dismissive or inflexible to a hybrid working schedule. Remote employees often work more hours and are more productive as they have fewer interruptions. Giving employees freedom and flexibility to work a hybrid schedule can boost productivity and builds trust between employees and management.
To keep employees accountable, managers should set dedicated working hours when employees are expected to be accessible and online. With messaging, calendar, and CRM applications it has never been easier for teams to communicate and collaborate online.
Communicate Intent, Not Rules
No one likes being dictated to. We already spend so much of our lives working. When we feel like we don’t have a choice or our voice isn’t heard, it can be very unmotivating. Management should inform and instruct how office spaces should be used. Once that vision is clear, communicate that intent to your teams. When leaders can convey what they want the office to exist for, allow employees to follow the instructions of the shared office spaces and expectations for workplace behavior.
Sometime intentions need to be adjusted. Be flexible and willing to adapt to change and to meet the needs of the office.
Equip Employees for Success
Is there a roadmap to success? Do employees know what success looks like? Are company, team and personal goals known and celebrated when achieved? What metrics are being used and how to success measured?
People don’t know what they don’t know. So any expectations and initiatives need to be communicated clearly and the tools and resources provided to employees for success.
Management Sets the Example
Collaboration doesn’t happen without the example and action of management. If you want your teams to collaborate and work well together, managers need to set the tone for the office. Give your employees the model to follow.
Invest in Employee Development
Nothing kills motivation like a rut. When management doesn’t invest in employee development, the workplace becomes stagnant. Complacency kills progress. The workplace needs to demonstrate a path of growth and success for its employees. As management collaborates with teams, leaders can identify the needs of the office and establish upcoming leaders within the organization.
Encourage Feedback
For the workplace to thrive, employees need the freedom and safety to express their challenges and frustrations within the workplace. Managers need to be open minded and willing to implement changes and offer help to employees when they request support.