7 Ways to Foster Relationship With Employees

It’s no secret that a good work relationship with employees leads to a positive work environment. And not only that, it helps an organization grow by leaps and bounds. But, not a lot of attention is given to this relationship, even though its benefits are well-known.

A Harvard Business Review revealed that 58 percent of people trust strangers more than their own boss. This statistic is alarming. Distrust of leadership should be worrisome for all those who have jobs. But why are so many employees feeling this way? The answer should lie in the relationship between employers and their employees.

Every good relationship is built upon mutual admiration and trust. Employer-employee relationships are no different. However, in order to create this type of relationship, both parties need to put in some effort, time, and empathy.

Let’s look at 7 ways through which employees can foster healthy relationships with their employees.

1. Build trust

Trust is the foundation on which a relationship is built. Be transparent with your employees. If possible, avoid hiding crucial information from them. If they ask about their overall performance, share your honest thoughts on the matter. Don’t gossip or talk behind their back, it will eventually reach their ears.

Your relationship is going to be a lot more sustainable if there is a good amount of trust involved.

2. Close the gap with communication

Regularly communicate with your employees. Make an effort to find out their current thoughts and feelings about the company. Arranging weekly meetings and hear what they have to say. This will help you achieve more employee loyalty.

Don’t just limit your communication to email. This will create a feeling of “out of sight, out of mind” and cause disinterest. Have an open-door policy, employees should not be afraid to come to your office for important discussions.

If you often have to work away from the office and are unable to make your presence felt, install a Staff time tracker.

3. Appreciate your employees

Employees spend most of their time at your office and give their best for your company. In the long run, this can easily drain or exhaust them. Some words of appreciation or encouragement can help and further motivate them. But make sure that your gestures are honest and from the heart. Most employees can tell if you’re being genuine or not.

Make your employees feel important. Whenever possible, include them in crucial decisions. When employees help create new policies, set organizational goals, and make other decisions integral to the company, they’ll feel more valued.

4. Form friendly relationships

Having a bond of friendship with your employees is good, forming a personal relationship with them is not.

Instead of looking down on them, acknowledge them and be their friend. But don’t be personal. This will create a feeling of favoritism and cause other employees to feel alienated and under-appreciated. You obviously won’t equally like everyone but the main thing is to treat everyone equally.

5. Always be respectful

They are your employees, not slaves. They have their own sense of worth. Don’t be rude or disrespectful to their faces. Hear their opinions and observations. If you don’t agree with their input then explain your point of view with a bit of empathy.

The whole relationship can crumble at any moment if there is no respect between an employer and an employee.

6. Have one-to-one interactions

Take time out of your busy schedule to have one-to-one interactions with your employees. Ask them if they are comfortable with their assigned tasks. Encourage them to share their opinions about the work environment. Look for any signs that might indicate dissatisfaction.

Interactions like these will definitely boost the employees’ morale and help employers build a positive relationship.

7. Be open-minded

Always go with a learning attitude. Don’t take the phrase “The boss is always right” to heart. Having a reputation for open-mindedness will allow your employees to be more comfortable while sharing their work-related thoughts. If they think that they’re dealing with unreasonable goals and expectations, revise their targets.

This will also generate a feeling of camaraderie among your employees, letting them know that they’re all in this together.

Conclusion

In the end, your relationship with your employees hinges on trust and belief in each other’s work. Both parties need to give their best to help make the relationship successful.