Helen worked at a small consulting firm for nearly 7 years. When the company decided to downsize and move out of the property they were renting, employees were expected to transition to remote worksites (whether that be from home or an office they had access to). With 2 small children at home, working from home presented a huge challenge to Helen. Rather than becoming overly stressed at the prospect of telecommuting, Helen focused on the positives of the situation, and was able to work out her childcare situation, work projects, and time management to ensure that she handled this substantial change in the most efficient manner possible.
Significant changes in our lives can result in 2 very different outcomes. Change has the power to make us feel overwhelmed and anxious, or can provide us with an opportunity to better ourselves. Particularly with change in the workplace, considerable changes can be challenging. Challenges can be constructive however, and approaching such alterations to our work lives with a positive and constructive outlook can result in both personal and professional growth.
Adaptation can be hard, and a good place to start is putting yourself in the right mindset. Challenge yourself to view change as a positive thing and that it is within our power to not allow it to affect us negatively. Focusing your efforts on viewing change not as a threat, but as an opportunity to evolve, learn, and develop further is a positive first step in making the most out of the circumstances we are presented with.
Next week, we will further discuss how to use this newfound mindset to make the most out of the period of adjustment. How do you grow from a situation that, at one time, could have resulted in a loss of engagement and motivation?
Each individual employee values different things in their work life. Perks such as autonomy and recognition are highly valued for some, while flexibility in schedules and opportunities to work remotely are sought after by others. Another incentive that is proven to build a sense of loyalty and longevity is providing opportunities for growth and development within your organization.
When your employees are highly engaged and committed to their jobs, they typically strive to do their best and genuinely want to contribute to not only their individual positions, but to the overall success of the organization as a whole. How do you keep that desire for continued commitment going strong, avoiding the inevitable trap of burnout, particularly after your employees have been with you for a while?
Work with each employee to develop a plan for professional growth. Sit down with them (possibly at the time of a formal or informal performance evaluation) and ask them what their goals are. Where do they see themselves in 5 years? Once those overarching goals are established, determine what you can do to help them achieve those objectives.
Mentoring and coaching with managers and cross training with individuals who hold positions or perform duties the employee would like to work towards are great ways to encourage learning and development. Additionally, this one-on-one training helps strengthen relationships within the company. E-learning opportunities such as certifications and webinars are typically cost-effective methods for learning, and college course work and certifications are other ways to continue building the skills knowledge of your employees.
Granted, each organization is unique in what would be the best fit from a cultural standpoint as well as financially, but there are so many options to assist your employees in their professional development. Taking the time to help your employees reach these goals is mutually beneficial as is helps you retain star employees, keeps your competitive advantage high in recruiting, and is an effective way to keep levels of engagement and morale high.
The level of trust between managers and employees can make or break a functional and effective working relationship. When your employees don’t trust you, and when you don’t trust them, job performance is directly affected. In a recent study conducted by the American Psychological Association (APA), it was reported that roughly 52% of the surveyed employees stated that their organizations make them feel valued and appreciated. Employees who feel valued are more motivated to perform at their best and to help build the success of your organization. (more…)
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