Simple Ways to Build Confidence
Confidence and comfort go hand in hand. If you have a new or first time employee it is key that they feel comfortable in their new environment. Here are some simple ideas to make the comfort level and confidence level start from the very first day your employee arrives.
1. Give them adequate training for their individual needs. Different types or personalities require different approaches to training. If you want employees who are confident and ready to take on assignments their training has to prepare them. Make sure they understand how to do the job you are asking them to perform.
2. Provide a safe environment for asking questions and getting help. It is much better to ask a question and get it done the right way the first time. Reward people for taking the time to ask the question. Have an open door policy so any associate is welcome and no questions are off limits.
3. Introduce them to the workplace. Have all the management teams meet with new associates. Learn a little bit about their personal and business successes. One day they were a new associate as well. It gives the new employee some common ground.
4. Make expectations clear. It is easier for employees to succeed and evaluate their own behavior if they know what is expected of them. They will become confident as they recognize they are meeting the job requirements.
5. Give the employees a safe place to work. Physical safety is paramount. Employees can not be confident if they are constantly afraid that you are in harms way.
6. Provide feed back along the way. Feed back is important not only at the end of a project, but while the job is in progress. If employees know they are on the right track they are able to continue with confidence. If they have ventured off in the wrong direction management can redirect the goals so time and efforts are not wasted.
7. Give honest praise on work well done. Nothing is worse than a manager who tells an employee they are doing a great job when they are not. This undermines the manager's integrity and the confidence of the employee. Honest and well deserved praise are the building blocks of employee confidence and good relationships.
Your employees' confidence level has a major impact on your bottom line. It makes good sense to work to together for the success of the company. Offer incentives for meeting goals. Share the wealth in one way or another and employees will offer more and work smarter.
