I recently read an article by J.T. O’Donnell explaining why “Top Performers Never Work ‘For’ A Company.” He went on to describe how, as an employee, you can create a sense of partnership with your employer. As I finished the article about top employees and peeked at the comments, I was amazed at the incredible amount of positive feedback given within just 24 hours of the original post. Employers, recruiters, and employees alike were in love with this innovative concept of creating a mutually beneficial relationship rather than the traditional superior/inferior affiliation.
If so many people become enthralled with the idea of an employee pushing for a symbiotic employer/employee relationship, how much more could companies with segments of all sizes, specifically HR departments, create a collaborative environment utilizing this theory?
1. Start fresh when hiring new employees.
Maybe the office has reached a point where everyone is doing just enough to get by. A job is a job, so employees are come to work to meet expectations, but nothing more. The spark of enthusiasm is dwindling. Asking for change in an existing situation can be difficult, but you can use this as an opportunity to change the way you hire. Bring in employees that dream big, encourage team work and use language that facilitates partnerships throughout the ranks rather than stiff policies/procedures.
2. Increase flexibility.
This can mean a lot of different things for different people. There is no cookie cutter solution for creating flexibility in any office. Essentially, break out the old employee handbook written in 1972 and revamp it! Toss out wording that feels restrictive or too authoritative. Rethink policies on simple things like dress code, lunch schedules, parking, and headphone use. Are rules necessary? Yes. Do offices sometimes implement rules just for the sake of having rules? Yes. Consider giving your employees the option of telecommuting. If you start to see people taking advantage of the system, you will be able to quickly weed out those who aren’t cooperative team players.
3. Create and maintain open communication.
So often in HR, we get lost in databases, paperwork, claims, deadlines and emails. It is easy to forget the “Human” element in “Human Resources.” You can take the first step to creating a more productive office atmosphere by simply communicating effectively and honestly with employees. These are people with lives, families, and personal goals. These are people who have good days, bad days, and nondescript days. These are people who came from somewhere that shaped them into who you see and these are people who are going to be much more than you will ever know. Make eye contact, smile, and ask questions; show enthusiasm and support for them as team members. Highlight an employee of the month and post a photo or brief video interview of them on the company intranet. Remember to be genuine and transparent – humans tend to respect these forgotten gestures and top employees are no exception.
4. Alter your perception of performance reviews.
Sometimes, especially in a larger company, communication is sparse. Things get bus! A big contract is landed or a project deadline is bumped up…pushing big picture talk of goals to the back burner. How do you begin implementing new strategies amidst the chaos? Take full advantage of quarterly/yearly reviews. We all know this is an underutilized opportunity to talk one-on-one with employees, so break the cycle! Make it clear that you value them and ask them how your relationship can improve. Nail down goals and brainstorm ways they can utilize their strengths to create mutually beneficial successes. Looking back at my various previous employers, the ones I worked hardest for (WITH) were the ones that were grateful for my efforts and showed me a clear path for growth/success.
So what do you think? Could your office benefit from a more collaborative atmosphere? I think you would be hard-pressed to find a company that would not answer yes to that question. It really is as simple as changing your language, relinquishing unnecessary control, and showing you care.
Here at Awards Network, we are constantly seeking out new ideas and concepts to improve performance, productivity, and the overall success of our clients. We learn every day that making people feel appreciated, recognized, and encouraged is the fastest, most effective way to reach almost any goal.
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