MANAGEMENT SPECIAL ...............5 WAYS TO Connect With Your Employees

5 WAYS TO Connect With Your Employees





One of the basic tenets of a good leader is that he or she must be able to establish an emotional connection with most, if not all employees. Organisations of the future must make the emotional connection with employees so that they become actively engaged and psychologically committed to their jobs; this in turn will boost productivity and sales.ET's Brinda Dasgupta talks to experts on how this can be achieved.

1 Be Approachable

Being around positive and helpful leaders impacts employees' readiness to ask key questions, share new ideas, and proactively seek feedback. “Leaders must always come across as approachable and relatable, and project a sense of confidence and optimism,“ said Subhashini Sriram, director HR, Unisys India. Team gatherings, unplanned coffee outings, and bringing back goodies when you travel can endear you to colleagues, said Shanthi Sundar, senior director and head HR, Pegasystems India.

2 Give Feedback

A great way to stimulate a positive working environment is to provide ongoing, constructive feedback. “Showing appreciation when it is warranted makes employees feel their work is valued, which results in greater motivation,“ said Sriram.

3 Regular Dialogue

Be sure to communicate regularly with people across the firm, either through informal no-agenda `open door' meetings or via management townhalls.“Employees want to hear from leaders on what the firm is focused on, where it is heading, and they want to be able to ask questions. Leverage these gatherings to talk about wider issues and the firm's values,“ said Rajat Mathur, MD and head of HR in India, Morgan Stanley.

4 Give Attention

When you do set up time to meet your team members oneon-one, ensure that you show you're in the moment. Don't be a boss who acts distant and busy around co-workers. “There is much to be said for putting your laptop and phone away and simply listening, it ensures employees truly feel valued,“ said Sundar.

5 Include All Staff

A large part of your workforce may be working flexibly, according to current trends. Make sure colleagues working from home or through other arrangements aren't missing out on your efforts to create stronger ties. “Keep such employees included in all discussions, over emails and conference calls, and when feasible, have them attend key meetings and events in person,“ said Mathur.

ET8APR16