What Does Your Manager REALLY Want?

At the beginning of the year, we discussed what employees want from their employers/organizations, including perks such as flexible schedules and the opportunity to telecommute, autonomy in work and recognition, and opportunities for growth. These non-monetary benefits can be a game changer in keeping your employees motivated and engaged and can promote a sense of loyalty that encourages long-term relationships.

On the flip side, what do employers want from their employees? Relationships in any capacity (be that professional or personal) have to be two-sided to thrive and the majority of employers want a mirrored, mutually beneficial relationship. If they are willing to provide their employees with the perks and accommodations they need to succeed, they desire something similar in return:

Dependability and Self-Motivation – If the position allows and if it is possible to allow flexible schedules and options for working remotely, having employees who are dependable and self-motivated is of the utmost importance. Many individuals struggle with the distractions that can come from working from home. Having dependable employees who are able to motivate themselves and are able to focus and manage time accordingly is crucial as these employees won’t have a manager physically checking their work and communicating face-to-face on a daily basis.

Team Players Who Step Up – Being able to balance individual and team success is something we all work on. We all want to grow and prosper in our own careers and positions; however, understanding that our individual successes are also achievements of the team and contribute to the bigger picture is important. Additionally, knowing when to step up and pitch in, and doing so without complaint, is imperative in promoting positivity and camaraderie.

Positivity and Promotion – Ahh positivity. The best of us go through periods of pessimism and negativity, but the best employees can snap out of that toxic mindset when faced with difficult situations. Not only are employees who maintain a positive attitude more pleasant to work with and promote high morale, but those are the individuals that you want representing your company and promoting your brand. These employees understand what is at stake and are invested in exhibiting a positive image.

These three factors are vital in establishing solid working relationships with employees. Communicating what these expectations are is crucial when laying the groundwork for long-term alliances. Though these traits are incredibly important to employers, there are so many other qualities that employers seek and value in their star employees. Follow along in our next post as we outline the top 10 things that employers look for most when recruiting and retaining individuals.

Keeping Your Team on Track

Most of us either love working in a team environment, or loathe it. Some people work better independently, while others thrive in group settings. Regardless of your personal preference, the majority of jobs require you to work with others from time to time. With a mix of different personalities and work preferences, keeping everyone on track and on the same page can be a challenge at times.

Much like self-motivation, teams often start off on a great note, but along the way the group can falter and can need a little extra nudge to get back on track. How do you not only get, but keep your team motivated, particularly when you may have individuals who require different things to stay engaged?

  • Create a Common Goal – Clear expectations are a vital part of managing employees. Especially when working with a team, everyone has a different way of doing things and has different methods and techniques used to reach the goal. When you clearly communicate what that common goal is, it helps keep everyone on the same page, with employees putting aside their individual differences to work in unison to reach that end result.
  • Appreciate their Work – Just like you should strive to praise individual employees for their achievements and accomplishments, compliment your team for a job well done. When they know that you are genuinely interested in their work, and invested in their success, team morale and esteem is boosted which results in a more loyal, dependable, and engaged team.
  • Team Building Activities – Taking the time to strengthen the relationships amongst your team members can lead to increased productivity and quality of work, enhanced job satisfaction, a reduction in wasted time, and improved communication overall. There are countless activities you can participate in with your team, including group discussion sessions, employee feedback activities and surveys, day trips or parties, and small celebrations of team successes.

Taking the time to keep your team motivated and engaged can result in a more dedicated and trustworthy group of individuals. It is your job as their leader to set the example and to inspire your employees to strive for and achieve success. Be there for your team and focus on being genuine and building respect. When they feel you have their best interests in mind, the results will be mutually beneficial for you, the team, and the organization as a whole.