Back when we still had our business, I sent one of our writers to a course to improve his writing. He was already a very good writer but was always eager to learn. After the course, I spoke to the instructor and he told me my employee loved his job so much and “would take a bullet for you. He takes a pride in the radio station as if were his own, and that can only come from you.”
So what’s the number one reason why people love their jobs? Why was my employee so committed to me and to our business?
I’m convinced that it’s because they love the feeling of being connected to the company, to the project, to the goal, to the outcome. They get up every morning energized at the thought of making strides towards the goal.
However, when they lose that connectivity, whether it’s from lack of communication from their bosses or from not being included in the process, the disconnect starts to happen and their own self doubt starts to creep in. Have they done something wrong? Are they being judged as not being competent? It’s easy to make up all manner of reasons for that feeling of exclusion. At one time or another we have all felt these things and asked these questions of ourselves. Remember what it feels like.
As a manager of employees what can you do?
- Involve them in goal-setting.
- Include all of your team members on all communications.
- Don’t assume that because you are so close to your job and what’s happening that they will know what is going on too. This is even more critical when your staff is working from remote locations.
- Talk to them frequently and reassure them of their value to you.
- Be specific. “These are the reasons I love having you with us and the value you bring.”
- If you can’t use them for a certain part of a project, tell them why.
- Don’t allow any room for that self doubt to creep in.
Having employees that would take a bullet for you might not be your goal, but it sure is fun arriving at work everyday knowing that everyone is as happy to be there as you are.
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