3 Ways to Show Gratitude for Your Employees
As we continue in our season of thankfulness, I wanted to take time to recognize a key piece of any business - the employees and team members. No company, big or small, can function without the people who keep it running day to day. In my time at Waste Management, I saw just how important each person and role was to the overall whole. From truck drivers to mechanics, to recycling plant workers, to call center customer service representatives, to support staff, we needed everyone doing their part to perform our services effectively.
To create the atmosphere of the best place to work, it is essential that management take steps to understand who is really doing the work that they deliver to their internal and external customers - and appreciation of their efforts must be demonstrated by leadership. To create a healthy and productive workplace, managers and leaders should take the time to show gratitude to the individuals who do the work each day that enables your company to achieve its mission. Even if you are appreciative of your team members, sometimes we need a little reminder of how you can demonstrate that appreciation to them in meaningful ways.
Listen to their needs
Having a two-way relationship with employees opens doors for healthy and clear communication. This means having conversations with them that go deeper than just the recent sports score or news events. Seek to truly get to know them on a personal level. Not only will you understand them better, but they will feel appreciated and valued. Additionally, you can learn ways to improve your organization based on their hands-on experience. Simply asking them what causes them the most frustration in their jobs and what one thing could improve the service to their internal or external customers can open up all-new improvement opportunities and build trust within your team.
James 1:9 instructs us to be “quick to listen and slow to speak.” Enacting patience and taking the time to hear the people you lead will make them feel appreciated because their requests are heard, showing that they have value and are respected.
Trust the responsibility you’ve given them
Remember that a servant leader is not controlling, but rather shares the power with their team. Allocating roles and empowering others is critical for building trust. For detail-oriented leaders like myself, it can be tempting to micromanage, but this can lead to frustration and resentment. If you have trust in your employees’ capabilities, demonstrate that by allowing them to complete their responsibilities while providing support and encouragement to them along the way. They may go about things differently than you would, so give them the target, and let them navigate the way to get there. That demonstrates trust.
Tell them thank you
Simply saying thank you can go a long way. If you are in the office, pop over to someone’s desk to thank them for a job well done. You’ll be surprised how meaningful these quick affirmations are to your team members. Sending emails to congratulate your team after a win or successful day is another great way to show appreciation, but telling them in person is always the best approach if possible.
I challenge you this week to thoughtfully consider how you can show your gratitude to your employees and team members. Don’t limit an attitude of gratitude to Thanksgiving, but be sure to practice it all year round.