The Importance of Meaningful Relationships at Work - Reflecting on the Happiness Study by Harvard
Being a manager or supervisor isn't just about delegating tasks and overseeing productivity.
It's about building meaningful connections with your employees.
When you take the time to get to know your team members on a personal level, you create a supportive and engaged workplace culture.
So take a step back from your to-do list and invest in your people. Ask about their interests, hobbies, and family life.
Here are three tips for making time for employee connections while managing a long to-do list:
1. Prioritize your schedule: Make a conscious effort to prioritize your schedule and make time for employee interactions. Schedule regular check-ins with your team members to ensure you are up-to-date on their progress and to provide support. If necessary, adjust your to-do list to make room for these important interactions (many leaders prioritize their to-do's over their team…that's their mistake).
2. Be present: When you're spending time with your employees, be fully present and engaged. Put away your phone and other distractions and actively listen to what they have to say. Take the time to ask follow-up questions and provide feedback. Being present in the moment will help you build a stronger connection with your team members.
3. Incorporate team-building activities: Organize team-building activities that are both fun and meaningful. This can be as simple as a weekly lunch or coffee break where you get to know your employees on a personal level. These activities can help break down barriers between team members, foster a sense of camaraderie, and promote a positive work environment. (One of my teams loves Taco Bell…just saying, food helps!)
I know that some of these tips can feel like…"easier said than done," but trust me…these seemingly small changes go a long way with your team. Do these things, and you can build up or build back trust super quickly which means a happier, more engaged team. BONUS – This means you will start to hear about the real issues in their work so that you can help solve the right problems and actually work on a to-do list that matters.
Let me know if you try these or if you need help implementing these by commenting on this post!
All the best!
Kayla
Founder of KFA Consulting, LLC | Your Leadership & Career Coach
“I help top performers transition into effective managers who lead top performing teams!”
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