Stress-related absences are one of the biggest costs to businesses every year, so most could benefit from taking a closer look at the way they manage their people, especially how they cope in stressful situations.
We have put together a few tips that business owners and managers can do to improve the way they manage their employees, ensuring they are not the cause of any unnecessary stress and frustration.
Listen
Taking time to listen to your employees is imperative as it not only makes them feel valued but can also have a massive impact on their performance and productivity. An employee might be trying to tell you how a different approach to a task could be more efficient or cost-effective, or they may have a creative idea that could help you solve a long-standing problem. It can also alert you to an employee who may be struggling with a personal issue or heavy workload and who needs more support. Taking the time to listen is invaluable and ensures you take in what your employees may (or may not!) be telling you.
Be available
As a business owner/manager, supporting your employees is part of the day job – and this can only be done effectively if you are available and approachable. Make sure your employees know it’s alright for them to ask questions or seek advice if they’re unsure about something. Also, if you are often out or in meetings, let them know your movements so they can plan the best time to catch you. A couple of minutes spent answering a quick question not only reassures them that they are doing the right thing, but will save trouble further down the line if they were headed in the wrong direction.
Be trustworthy
Make sure that your team knows they can trust you and have your support even if things don’t go to plan. If people are afraid, they will be unfairly blamed for anything that goes wrong, they will be constantly operating in a state of anxiety and won’t do a good job. Equally, make sure credit is given where it’s due and that you acknowledge the work of your team when things go right. Don’t make promises to people if you’re not sure you will be able to deliver, if you operate with honesty and integrity your employees will do the same.
Be open and direct
Open and honest feedback on performance is vital, employees will want to know how they are doing and if they need to be doing anything differently. Don’t just wait for the performance review to come around, if you give people feedback on an ongoing basis, they will be clear about what their priorities are, secure in the knowledge they are approaching tasks in the right way and that you will support them in any areas where they may need further development.
Show empathy
Many business owners/managers are uncomfortable displaying any kind of ‘emotion’ in the workplace and shy away from difficult or personal conversations with employees. However, stepping outside of your professional role and communicating with people on a personal level will help you build a much more motivated and engaged team. Remember to be as flexible as possible when people are dealing with difficult personal issues – and if someone’s performance is not up to scratch, make sure you look a bit more deeply into what may be behind the issue.
If you need any further help or guidance about how to deal with stress in the workplace, give us a call on 020 3538 5311 or email us at hello@hrrevolution.co.uk.
