Office Space
The saying, “respect is earned, not given,” is something we hear every day but rarely consider exactly what that means. Respect is technically defined as, “a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities or achievements.”
“… by their abilities, qualities or achievements.”
While your achievements can be an initial point of gaining respect from your employees, employers or clients, it is your ability to prove your achievements consistently and your qualities as a human being that will allow your professional relationships to flourish and continue to bring you more clients and more revenue.
Office Space
“Gallup finds there’s still plenty of truth in that old cliché. The survey of 7,200 adults found that about half had left a job at some point ‘to get away from their manager,’” according to The Wall Street Journal. And those who gave the highest ratings of their managers agreed with, “I feel I can approach my manager with any type of question.” – suggesting that manager-employee communication can be a root to workplace unity, happiness and productivity.
Open communication with your employees is the easiest way to show that you, a manager or supervisor, care for your employees. The job needs to get done and there are times when you will have to make tough decisions regarding employees and their personal matters, but when you are in charge of people, ‘people’ things will happen. Sick kids at home, the in-laws are in town, family vacation coming up in a few weeks, car broke down; life happens and we have to adjust. However, being the boss means mandating a professional and productive work environment where your employees aren't only showing up three days a week, but you also want to be sympathetic to their circumstances.
Having this open communication will build trust between you and your employees. When an employee feels they can talk to their supervisor, and their supervisor will actually listen, that trust will continue to build on to other parts of office productivity.
For example, when you love the company you work for, you do everything you can to make it flourish. Sure, money is a great initiative; but, money doesn’t motivate everyone. And while financial incentives can work in a business’ favor, true and honest hard work comes from respecting your company, respecting your supervisors, coworkers and most importantly, your clients. Not wanting to take advantage of them, but advise them in which of your services would work best for them.
An employee that feels valued and listened to is going to make that known to your clients as well. They’re going to tell your clients, “I promise you that XYZ Firm is here for YOU and YOUR needs, they take care of us and we will take care of you.” And when that statement is backed up with honesty, the client feels it.
OfficeVibe's Top 13 Personality Traits of a Great Boss:
- Positivity – Understanding the power of being positive and look at every situation as a learning opportunity.
- Honesty – Telling your employees the truth, even if it’s not good news.
- Delegate – Understanding when to step in and help with office issues or when it’s best for them to work it out themselves. Resist micromanaging.
- Communicating – Express yourself and allow your employees to feel they can express themselves to you as well.
- Inspire – Show your employees why your business is the best and why you love working there. Sure enough, they will probably see it too.
- Aligning the Team – Keeping the team on task and focused on short and long-term goals without being demanding.
- Balanced – Allow your employees to balance home and work life.
- Give Credit – ‘Give credit where credit is due’ and be proud of your employees. They worked hard and they deserve the recognition; and that will make them more confident in their job performance.
- Encourage Growth – Showing honest encouragement for your employees to grow as people and professionals in your workplace shows a great amount of care for their well-being and future. Showing you actually care about your employees (even in the future, if they’re not still with your company) shows your employees you really do want them to succeed in their life.
- Praise – Show your appreciation for how hard your employees work.
- Mentor – The phrase, ‘Give a man a fish, you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime,’ fits well with this one. Show them how to be successful. Give them the tools they need to grow both in themselves and in their careers.
- Being Fair – Not showing favorites or allowing others to feel left out (even by mistake). Go out of your way to include all members of your business and not leave anyone feeling excluded. You never know what kind of insights that excluded person is too intimidated to bring to the table.
- Encourage Great Habits – This can be great for morale. Encourage carpool incentives, provide healthy snack or breakfast options in the office kitchen (if you have one). Since your employees are working so hard for you, they may have missed breakfast this morning! Having some fruit or light snacks on hand could make the difference.
Michael Scott
Showing respect to your employees is the best way to receive it back. You, as a supervisor, are your employee’s gateway to “corporate” or “the big guys” so it’s important to make them feel heard and their concerns validated. An employee that knows their supervisor has their best interest in mind will always have your and your company’s best interest in mind as well; and it will show in every aspect of the business. From Susan in Human Resources bringing in donuts every Monday to your revenue continuing to rise because you’ve built a workplace that believes in each other and your company.