The Importance of Knowing Your Team

We have heard it thousands of times, so much so that the phrase has become somewhat clichéd: There is no "I" in team, and workplace teams are no exception.

Successful teams spring from the framework of solid relationships shared by employees who understand each other's goals, work styles, and communication preferences. These relationships pave the way for powerful collaboration and overall success.

Why you should get to know your employees

It is commonly said that the employees of a company are its greatest resource, and the better you know, the easier you will find it to keep them engaged in their work and motivated to reach their fullest potential.

Global employee disengagement has hit depressingly low levels, with Gallup's 2022 State of the Global Workplace Report finding that engagement amongst European workers sits at just 14%, compared to 33% in North America and 21% worldwide. This lack of engagement is causing companies serious problems, and they don't know how to fix it.

Studies have shown how employee engagement increases dramatically when the daily experiences of employees include positive relationships with their direct supervisors or managers. Behaviors of an employee's immediate supervisors that have been correlated with employee engagement include:

● Employees enjoy a good relationship with their supervisors.

● Employees have the necessary equipment to do the job well.

● Employees have sufficient authority to accomplish their job well.

● Employees have the freedom to make work decisions.

● The Gallup "Q12" lists twelve core elements that link strongly to crucial business outcomes.

These elements relate to what the employee gets (e.g., clear expectations and resources), what the employee gives (e.g., the employee's individual contributions), and whether the individual fits in the organisation (e.g., based on the company mission and co-workers) and whether the employee has the opportunity to grow (e.g., by getting feedback about work and opportunities to learn).

In short, the better the relationship you have with your employees, the better their engagement and output.

What can you do to get to know your employees better?

1. Always be approachable: Implementing an open-door policy and encouraging your team members to come to you for personal and professional matters can improve employee morale. Knowing that they have a sympathetic manager who will listen to their concerns and professionally address them will make employees feel valued. 121s are an excellent way to show that you care about them and their well being.
2. Host team, social events, and gatherings to get to know your employees in an environment outside of work. Seeing your team members in different settings might help you better understand them. It also allows the team to get to know one another, improving collaboration and camaraderie. It is important to be considerate when planning such events. Some people don't drink alcohol, for instance, while others may have family responsibilities and may be unable to do activities after work. You want all your team to feel welcome.
3. Promote training and education. Your team is only as strong as its weakest link, making it important to encourage individual development as well as team development. If each team member strives to improve individually, the team will grow stronger in the process. Creating an environment where employees can learn new skills improves engagement and offers an opportunity for employees to advance in their careers.
4. Conduct surveys. Not implementing a regular survey sends a clear message: you don't care about people's opinions. Filling out a survey gives them a specific channel for expressing themselves and having a say in the direction of the business. Not only does this make team members valued and gives you an insight into their thoughts and opinions - but you can also improve your approach and methods and become a better leader.

The benefits of knowing your employees

With greater knowledge about your employees, you will get to benefit from the following things:

● You'll become aware of everyone's preferred learning style, allowing you to tailor training sessions to help employees reach their full potential.

● Knowing individual communication styles helps you better understand behaviour, leadership potential, and how to better convey information to them.

● Delegating tasks is easier when you know who is best suited for each job. You can also use this knowledge to push your employees to complete challenging tasks that help them grow professionally.

● Knowing what motivates your employees will allow you to get the most efficiency out of them. Some may want financial incentives. Others may be content with praise, knowing they are making a positive contribution that their supervisors acknowledge.

Time to get to know your employees

Taking time to get to know your employee personally shows them that they are valued not just as an employee but also as a person. They will feel valued not just for what they do but for who they are.

Once you have built a foundation of trust with your team, you will start a line of open and honest communication, creating a work environment where everyone feels supported and valued.

Are you doing enough for your people? Are you the boss they want to stay with?

If you are not sure, contact us to find out!