How to Spread Love & Retain Employees through Appreciation

Running a business is all about how you manage your workforce. Putting your business before everything else also means putting the interest of your employees first. After all, employees are the lifeblood of any organization and their success determines the success of your business. As much as it is important to hire talented people, it is equally important to retain them. One way of doing that is reciprocating the love and affection you receive from other people to employees working in your company. A successful business is built on a happy workforce which enjoys its duties and responsibilities. The onus to keep the people working under you happy falls directly on you. If you truly love what you are doing, try loving your team and get back what you give ten folds.

If you are wondering how to show your love and appreciation towards employees to retain them, here are a few ideas to get things started.

1. Get to Know Your Employees

If you don’t know your employees in person and their interests to a certain extent, you are missing out on making an invaluable connection. Every employee needs recognition to make him feel valued and respected as an integral member of the team. You can provide your employees this recognition by getting to know them, their families, their interests and hobbies. There might be a hundred more tasks left to do but having a friendly conversation with your employee over coffee or lunch will make you feel good and make the employee feel more valued. You’ll come across as a person who in spite of a heavy workload takes time out to know other people and value them. This sense of valuation will lead to more contentment and make your employees love and stick to their jobs.

2. Recognize Employee Achievements

Understand that each and every employee working under you is talented in some way. It is important to keep your employees happy and inspired by recognizing their individual achievements. Your employee might be a real standout or someone who shuffles between many tasks and manages them effectively. Appreciate them for the work they are doing and do so publicly. There is nothing more that pushes an employee to do awesome work than being credited for his work in public. Remember that there is nothing stronger than a motivated workforce and you alone have the power to motivate it. Thank your employees now and you’ll be thanking yourself later.

3. Listen to Your Employees

You hired an employee for a reason. They are not ‘Yes Men’ trained to nod to everything you say. They have their views and opinions on decisions that the company takes. Get to know what they think about something you have been thinking and give them the voice they own. Listen to them and take in their views and ideas. You’ll be amazed on hearing some brilliant ideas and suggestions from your team. Think about it and get back to them if you need more clarification on the same. Remember, your business is not a one-man army, you have a big army behind you. Seek help and grow together.

4. Give them Opportunities

How would you like it if you were to do the same task over and over again, every single day? It’s obvious you’re going to feel bored and would desperately want to try your hands at something interesting and innovative. This does not just apply to you. Your employees feel the same way too. Everyone who is working under you has the fire to grow and learn new skills. Instead of curtailing this desire and limiting them to a specific task, why not give a little space for learning and growth? Your employees would thank you for this and your company would stand to gain everything good that comes out of it. Very soon, you’ll come to understand that hiring from within by giving opportunities and added responsibilities to employees is one of the best decisions you’ve ever made.

5. Pamper with Bonuses

Giving your employees some extra cash to take care of their needs during festive season and other special occasions is one sure shot way to make them feel happy. Be assured that the small budget you give to take care of your employee needs will be put to good use. Better still, employees appreciate perks more than salary which makes it a win-win situation for you and your employees.

Retaining your workforce is all about how you treat them. It is the little appreciation, kindness and thanking that goes a long way in retaining the best of talent in the industry by your side. No one loves to see a leader who only demands and commands. Instead, show them your humane side and get back their love along with a commitment and dedication to your company.

Love your business? It’s time to start loving your employees!