A message to Leaders, Managers, Aspiring Managers & HR Specialists

We've all heard the old adage: “My people are my best asset” … It would be interesting to survey employees and ask them whether they truly felt this sense of appreciation for the work the do; at least half of the time. Numerous surveys on workplace morale disclose that the number one motivator at work is appreciation. Yet how much appreciation and approval is demonstrated on a daily basis? If you think that people come to work just for the pay check, think again.  Money as a motivator is very low on the list. There is no question that no matter how “high tech” our organizations become, it is individuals at work who create the momentum for your own professional success. They are the ones who make you look good…or bad. However the Chinese proverb declaring “the fish always stinks from the head” is worth remembering by those in a role of being ultimately responsible. Without YOUR effective leadership, mentoring and support, your best people will not stay. People are motivated more by recognition and a positive work environment. They spend over half of their waking hours getting ready for work, traveling to work, working, getting home from work and talking about work at the dinner table. As the manager, supervisor or team leader, ask yourself:

1. Where do you spend your energy on a daily basis? Are you putting out fires or preventing new ones from starting?
2. Are you focusing on the “problem” team members more than the loyal, hard-working star performers?
3. When was the last time you recognized individual effort?
4. When you gave praise, was it genuine, specific and heartfelt or simply a pat on the back?
5. Do you encourage or stifle creativity?
6. Do your workers feel they can easily confide in you?
7. How approachable and available are you?
8. How involved are your team in developing your organization's mission?
9. Are your team operating autonomously?
10. Do you hold back on delegating?
11. Are you having a good time at work?
12. Is your team having a good time at work?
13. Is the workplace place deserted by 5.00 PM?
14. Do you spend more time criticizing rather than critiquing?
15. How included to your team feel in the decision-making process?
16. When did you last walk around and “shoot the breeze” with your team?
17. Have you ever asked your employees to update their own job description?
18. Do you involve other team members in the hiring process?
19. How high are absenteeism levels?
20. Do you trust the people who work for you?

These are critical questions for you to be able to assess the effectiveness of your team. It is essential to have a happy and productive team in order to grow your business and serve clients and customers with a standard of excellence.  If you are honest with this assessment and recognize the need for improvement, make sure you are tapping into the valuable HR resources you have at work or a regular basis. If you do not have this expertise available,   create the kind of environment that makes your team thrive with an in - house leadership workshop or presentation for yourself, your managers, team leaders and supervisors . No business can afford the high cost of low productivity or morale!