How to Make everyone Feel Valued in the Workplace
As a leader you can make everyone feel valued in the workplace by applying the platinum rule, treat everyone the way you would like to be treated-from the doorman to the CEO. Employees perform better when they feel good about themselves, production, service and profits increase. Making everyone feel valued in the workplace is vastly different from trying to be everyones friend-this would be a mistake for a leader. Investing in the lives of your employees through training and development makes everyone feel valued.
Adding value to another human being is a skill that can be learned, applying appreciation makes everyone feel valued in the workplace. People are the most appreciable asset in business, investing in their development always pays huge dividends. Taking the time to learn and use the names of those people you interact sends a positive message that reverberates throughout the organization. Dale Carnegie is noted for saying: “the sweetest sound to a person is the sound of their name.”
Taking the time to remember a persons name and pronounce it correctly takes little effort on your part, but it makes the employee you're speaking with feel valued in the workplace. As the leader you will have access to your employees records compiling a list of birth dates and sending a post card to their homes will only take a moment out of your day. But imagine the employees surprise when they pull your card from the mail box and its from their boss. Public recognition of milestones is another way of making everyone feel valued in the workplace, in addition to creating a family environment.
Recognition of effort and results are equally important, some leaders make the mistake of only praising results and employees may receive mixed message and seek to cut corners in order to produce results. High performing employees want to be recognized and appreciated for their efforts. Appreciating the efforts of your team lets them know that you understand what they have to endure in order to reach a desired outcome. Employees who feel valued in the workplace share a feeling of mutual respect with their leaders and are more inclined to share their brightest ideas because they feel listened to and valued in the workplace.
Listening to your employees, and peers makes them feel valued in the workplace. Having the ability to listen for feelings and context will increase your influence with your employees. Employees feel valued in the workplace when management genuinely listens to their concerns-engagement is increased. While talking to your team keep your BlackBerry in the holster and be fully present, giving your team your full attention will add to them feeling valued in the workplace.
