Connecting with Employees

One of the many benefits of working for a small company is our ability to really know the people with whom we are working. It is one thing to know everyone’s name, but quite another to share a connection with multiple employees. And, like most things worth doing, there is an art to making connections.

To connect with anyone, you must know several things about them. What do they like to do outside the office, what does their spouse do, what are their kids names and ages? If you show genuine interest, most people are happy to talk about the things which make them special.

These things take time. Start slow and build gradually. Look for things you share in common. If necessary, make notes for future reference. Tom’s is good about posting birthdays and work anniversaries. Take those special occasions as opportunities to interact directly with people. But those events are just the surface, so don’t stop there.

Make your interactions about them.

Frequently, I hear people ask about a child only so they can share their own child’s story. When you are talking instead of listening, are you really building a bond? Hopefully, they will come to have an interest in your life too, but you will do yourself a favor by waiting until they ask before sharing your own life story.

Dispense praise for specific actions or accomplishments.

Replace generic phrases like, “You guys are awesome,” with specific praise for special achievements. “I was so impressed with how calm you were when Mr. Jones thought the technician was taking advantage of him. By the time you hung up the phone he was a raving fan!” Or, “We are so lucky to have someone who understands customers like you do.” Praise which is individualized is infinitely more powerful than the tired phrases you see posted online or in school corridors.

Praise publicly and criticize in private.

If you pass out praise when coworkers can hear it, you inspire others to step up their game in addition to making the employee feel valued. On the other hand, an employee mistake is much better discussed privately. Employees must know you have their backs and private reprimands go a long way toward establishing trust.

Always be alert for new ways to broaden your connection with employees.

Just by listening you might find that someone’s child is competing in a music competition over the weekend. Imagine how pleased they will be when you ask specifically about the competition on Monday morning!

Nothing takes the place of genuine concern.

Nobody enjoys attending funerals but your presence at an employee’s relative’s service will never be forgotten. By the same token, a personal visit to an employee in the hospital says more than you can imagine. After all, no one expects a manager to show up at a hospital or funeral home. The impact of your kindness goes well beyond the effort you make.

Write notes.

We may be in a time of instant gratification, texts and Snapchats, but nothing takes the place of a handwritten note. What if you sent a note to an employee’s wife thanking her for allowing her husband to work late through the summer months? What if you sent a note of congratulations to the outstanding daughter of an employee on her graduation from high school? The what if’s are endless, and the results are always the same - priceless!

We work in an environment which is full of opportunities to connect with our coworkers. The point of connections is not to become best friends but to get the best out of each other by creating a special work environment. How much more enjoyable and productive would our workplace be if we were all genuinely and personally connected?

Always remember: When establishing connections, texts are better than e-mails. Face-to-face conversations are better than either one, and hand written notes provide the best long term benefits!