The best employees are 100% participatory into their jobs. They do not remain quiet and reclusive during their most important moments at work. They are able to form teams on their own and enjoy suggesting ideas to improve the company. So take an active role in making your employees feel welcome and appreciated at work.
Form teams
Encourage the formation of teams instead of letting people work by themselves. Employees who work solo tend to feel excluded from others in their own department. Create work assignments that must be completed in groups of two or more people. Have the supervisor choose the team members or allow people to choose their own teams.
Require group participation
Teams are useless if only one or two members choose to participate. Make it mandatory for every person to participate in the group’s projects. Assign points that are divided among each person. The only way to get full credit is to combine all of the points. That way, everyone has to make some individual contribution.
Rotate roles and/or assignments
It’s common for workers to feel bored having to repeat the same tasks over and over again. Assign and rotate different roles for your employees to keep them interested in their work. Allow your workers to take on additional responsibilities and upgrade to higher level positions.
For instance, the duties within the marketing department are easy to interchange. Have your office workers take on the roles of graphic designers or copywriters. It’s easy to create logos using a logo maker and printer and to write blog posts for the company’s website.
Hold contests
Most employees don’t want to go to meetings, but they do like signing up for contests. Hold monthly contests to get them more interested in the activities that are going on in the workplace. Reward people who work the hardest with gifts, discounts or extra work benefits. However, avoid having contests too often or you’ll distract the employees from their responsibilities.
Host annual parties
People who dread going to business meetings should look forward to going to the parties every year. Even when the anticipation levels are high, it’s possible to host bad parties that people cringe about for years. First, set ground rules for acceptable behavior at the party. Gossip, drunkenness and other forms of bad behavior will create animosity in the workplace that could last for years.
In addition, consider asking your employees for suggestions on how to plan this event. Ask them for ideas at least six months before the party begins. Require that each employee participate by bringing in a music playlist or adding his or her name to the refreshment list.
Encourage attendance at outside events
It’s common for business professionals to socialize outside of the workplace. They often participate in local fundraisers, seminars and business conferences or host their own events. International conferences encourage the meeting of leaders from all over the world. Attending these events is how entrepreneurs assert their leadership positions in the community.
Make your employees feel more appreciated by inviting them to different events outside of the workplace. Consider giving overtime pay to employees who volunteer outside of their regular work schedules. Reward your hardest workers with tickets to various events like tournaments, sporting games, etc.
The best employees are honest, hardworking and loyal, but only if they’re motivated to do their work. Many of them are willing to work, even without pay. To make your workers feel passionate about their jobs, include them in the company’s events and activities. Encourage participation in events that take place outside of the workplace. Do whatever you can to make them feel wanted and appreciated.
Lindsey Patterson is a freelance writer and entrepreneur based in the US who specialises in business technology, customer relationship management and lead management. She also writes about the latest social trends, specifically involving social media.
