Employee Supervision Tips: Stay Approachable to Keep Your Team Happy

March 16, 2010 in HR Best Practices

 

Complaints.  Conflicts.  Crises.

As managers, we all have days when we want to just close the office doors and shut ourselves off from our employees.  But as tempting as it sounds, adopting a “do not disturb” management style comes at a price.  Over time, isolating yourself from your staff can lead to disconnected and resentful employees, lowered productivity and a toxic corporate culture.

Fortunately, you can easily avoid management pitfalls like these by staying approachable.  Use the following quick tips to keep your team happy, motivated and working for you:

  • Leave your door open.  A manager who does most of his or her work behind closed doors can leave employees feeling alienated and cut-off.  So even if it means additional distractions, try to keep your office door wide open whenever possible.
  • Chat up your staff.  Create an environment where workers feel you take an interest in them beyond the work they do.  A simple “Good morning, how was your weekend?” will make employees feel like you care.  If they believe you care, they’ll regard you with more respect and perform better for you.
  • Set your staff up for success.  As much as possible, give employees sufficient lead-time to complete projects or tasks.  Ensure that all assignments are explained carefully.  Specify what needs to be done, by whom and within what time frame.  Make yourself available for guidance when needed, and answer employees’ questions in a way that will help them accomplish the goals you have set for them.
  • Don’t punish the messenger.  Let your staff members know that they can come to you with potential problems, as well as suggestions on how to improve their processes.  Show them you realize that because they’re the ones on the front lines, doing the day-to-day work, they have valuable insights into what’s really going on.

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Do you have a recruiting question or concern?  Contact Kinsa Group today.  We’re experts in food and beverage industry recruiting, and you can always approach us for the professional advice and information you need.