Being nice is free and has incredible ROI. Why do so few managers do it?
I learned account management and client services from some of the best. The core of all that I've learned boils down simply to this one rule: be nice.
OK, this isn't ground-breaking news. And we expect our people to 'be nice' to our customers. Yet, why then aren't we granting the same courtesy to our employees? No disrespect to BCG, Bain, Deloitte or any other consulting firm out there trying to untangle the web of "employee engagement;" but it's not rocket science.
If you're getting a sense that employees are disengaged...ask yourself one question: "when was the last time I complimented an employee?"
"But...I sent out the annual email telling everyone they were doing a fantastic job," you say? Insert the eye-roll emoticon! That's not complementing an employee. When is the last time you physically walked up to someone and said "I appreciate you being here."
Sadly, for too many in a leadership role...we can't answer that question. We're too busy. Too many emails to answer. We all know that employees don't leave because the new organization has a better Foosball table...they leave because they are looking for a sense of belonging. It's like any other relationship...we want to feel wanted!
We can't all work for the next Facebook, or Google. We're not going to love every role we have; and out of the millions of people out there, who really finds their passion right out of the gate? But, leadership can create a sense of belonging and generate employee commitment simply by telling their people "I'm glad you're here."
Here's an experiment for you: I want you to literally say to an employee today "I'm so glad you work here" and watch their face. Watch how it changes them over the coming weeks.
Employee disengagement is at historic highs. Sure, we're all frustrated by stagnant wages and work/life balance struggles. But what really kills motivation is when leadership acts like we're just another cog to be replaced at their whim.
You want to create an organization that punches above its weight class? Be nice to your employees. Appreciate them. Tell them you're glad they work with you. Tell them face to face and tell them often. Believe in them and they'll take your organization to places you didn't believe possible.
And the best part? It's free. No new Foosball table required.
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