The performance of your staff is essential to the success of your business. Dealing with a diverse group of people, with different skill sets and roles can be challenging. I have always felt that a productive staff is a happy staff, and a valued staff is a loyal staff. Here are some things I have implemented to increase the effectiveness of my staff, as well as their well being in the workplace.

1. Common Goals
   Define the goal of the company. What are you trying to do? Make sure to share that with your team. You want them to be on the same page as to what you are wanting to make happen. This will then help you to decide who are the right people to work with you. I don’t look for someone “just looking for a job”. I want to have someone come onboard who is looking to accomplish what we are. We have found that we are able to build great, long lasting relationships with our staff by doing this. They are happy because as the company is achieving its goals, they are achieving theirs.
2. Communication
   Communication is the foundation of any positive relationship, and this is especially true in the workplace. I believe that transparency is a key aspect of healthy internal communication. Having a dialogue with employees about the state of the company is a cost-free way to improve management-staff relations. In addition to this, I have found that building a relationship with employees through regular one-on-one conversations goes a long way towards maintaining productivity and positive outlook towards the company.
3. Create a sense of value
   Going along with staying in communication with your employees, I find that it is important to make sure they know that you value them and their contributions to your business. I always feel better about the work I am doing when I understand its value in the larger picture. I always take time to thank employees for doing their work well. Beyond this, it is helpful to take the time to ask personal questions, listen, and be interested in their lives.
4. Be Flexible
   I try to not being too fixed in my company. I have done this in the past where I was so convinced on what I was doing (and not getting results very fast) that I didn’t realize I was going the wrong direction for a long time. By opening up communication, I find that my staff are able to make suggestions and contribute more to the company. With this, we are able to make improvements to what we are doing and how we are doing. Note: At the same time I am certain about the things that I am doing and don’t let it be something where listening to others bounces me all over the place (see point 1 above). I am very determined on what we are doing, but do recognize there are some points where other input has given me a piece of information I was missing and then I use that to make small adjustments, thus get better results.
5. Keep everyone involved
   I have noticed that my staff enjoy being involved in the big picture. While their roles in the company may only focus on a specific area, it is important to make sure they all feel that they are an essential part of the team. At meetings I always encourage all members of the staff to voice their opinions and concerns, even if it is not their area. This adds to the sense of collective effort, despite the varying areas of your staff members’ individual roles.If you have anyone who is consistently negative in these types of meetings, you can look at my blog and read several articles going over how to handle those people. I’ll give you a hint…get them out of your life.

   Otherwise you will find that your staff are happy to contribute and like seeing their contributions come to life!

   – Rafferty Pendery