Article

Keep Your Employees Happy

Written by Joel Garfinkle

Topic: LeadershipPublished January 31, 2012
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If you're a manager or supervisor, it's your job to make sure your staff not only gets the work done, but finds fulfillment in their jobs. If you don't, you'll spend a lot more time than necessary in the hiring and training cycle because unfulfilled employees don't tend to stick around. While keeping employees happy may sometimes seem like mission impossible, following a few guidelines will help most of your employees feel good about the time they spend at work. This week's Fulfillment Tips offers four simple ways to give employees more reasons to stay on the job than to leave it. If you're an employee, let management know what you want. Start with this list, then customize it for your specific needs. You spend a lot of time at work - you deserve to be fulfilled by it. 1.Recognize Your Staff If you don't appreciate your staff, they will leave. The U.S. Department of Labor says that the number one reason people leave their jobs is because they "don't feel appreciated." Most people receive very little workplace recognition in a given year so it's vital that you recognize and reward your employees for their efforts at work. 2.You Are a Model for Your Staff - Act That Way Act in manner that models the type of behavior you want from your staff. You are setting an example of what it's like to be a leader in today's business world. Your character, integrity, work ethic, and overall holistic view of how you do your work (and live your life) are being watched by the people who work for you. 3.Working in Teams The success of a project requires people working well together. This can be achieved when you trust each member on the team and know they are working towards doing their very best. You want them to produce outstanding work and be committed to operating at the highest standard possible. 4.What's Your Definition of Success for Your Employees? Define success by making it clear for employees what constitutes success and how they should measure their achievements. The definition of success might be very different for each employee, so it's important to customize to each individual. Your staff's definition of success might include making more money, learning and growing on the job, making a difference, having a work/life balance, feeling fulfilled through work, and/or doing work that aligns with their talents.

Learn more about being an effective leader by reading my 80+ free articles on executive leadership.

Article author

About the Author

Recognized as one of the top 50 leadership coaches in America, Joel Garfinkle has worked with many of the world’s top companies. As an executive coach, he’s written seven books, including Getting Ahead: Three Steps to Take Your Career to the Next Level. Learn more about being an effective leader by reading my free articles on leadership.

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