Here's how you can cultivate and sustain robust connections with your employees.

Distractions pose a significant challenge to active listening. Identifying your primary distractors is the crucial first step toward managing them effectively when someone is relying on you to truly listen. Despite mastering silencing my phone and putting my monitors to sleep during conversations, a new distraction emerged when I got an Apple Watch. The watch vibrated for every text, phone call, or notification, prompting an immediate urge to glance at my wrist. Through sheer willpower, I've learned to ignore these distractions and maintain focus on the person I'm engaged with, although it requires constant recommitment. I've noticed that this commitment to active listening has fostered greater trust among my peers and employees.

By prioritizing consistent communication, trust, collaboration, recognition, professional development, and employee well-being, organizations can effectively maintain employee connections and cultivate a strong sense of community and engagement within the workplace

A primary grievance among employees regarding their companies is the "lack of communication." Twintel Solutions emphasizes this, stating, "When employees feel uninformed about company updates, policy changes, or even their own performance, it can lead to frustration and disengagement." To address this, organizations should prioritize clear and transparent communication channels, such as regular team meetings, company-wide emails, and open-door policies, to ensure employees feel heard and informed. In my experience, explaining both the "why" behind a task and how it fits into the broader picture has been crucial in making employees feel valued. Valued employees are not only happier but also more productive and effective.

A key aspect to note is the importance of genuine appreciation. It's crucial to identify praiseworthy aspects and acknowledge them sincerely. Rather than waiting until a project concludes, offer public recognition for significant contributions as they occur. Witnessing the glow of someone who receives recognition for their hard work is incredibly rewarding. As Dale Carnegie famously said, "Be hearty in your approbation and lavish in your praise, and people will cherish your words and treasure them and repeat them over a lifetime."

The word “support” is something which can be a power house for anyone in any circumstances. Backing your team mates and supporting them in their wins and losses is a great sign for a leader. Being supportive towards your team and employees is something which each and every member expects.

In the accounting function, most companies have a two-week period of intense, daily deadlines to close the month or quarter. Overtime is a given. Accordingly, I tell the candidates I am interviewing that accounting is not a 40-hour-per-week job, to level set their expectations of 45 to 50 hours. During crunch times, they frequently do work ten hour days. But, what I also do is allow them some leniency during the other two weeks of the month that are less hectic. I will let someone take an afternoon off to go to an Astros day game, for example, without requiring them to log PTO. People appreciate being understood, appreciated, and valued; and, they feel valued when you let them responsibly flex their time.