Be Grateful for Your Staff
We heard over and over during Covid the amazing impact it had on staff members when they got a phone call from the CEO who asked them how they were doing. People were blown away that the CEO or the Executive Director of a non-profit would personally call them. We heard comments like:
“I couldn’t believe it was really the CEO and that they wanted to speak to me!”
“I could tell that the ED really wanted to hear my answer—they didn’t just ask to be polite.”
· “The fact that the leader of my organization took time out of a busy schedule to show concern for my well-being absolutely blew me away.”
The staff members who received these calls felt valued as a person and not just as a coworker or employee. There is a difference, and this time of year is a wonderful time to consider this concept.
How do you show your team that you value each of them as people and not just an employee? Here are some ideas:
Learn people’s names and use them. There is something so special about hearing your name said by someone you admire, like your boss's boss.
Get to know something each person values or enjoys and ask them about it. If you find out that one of your employees has a child who plays a sport, think of the impact it will have if you as the CEO or leader asks how the team is doing this year?
Send a handwritten note of thanks to your team at Thanksgiving time. You will be amazed at how special it is for staff members to get something personally from a leader in their organization. Odds are that note will be kept and they will feel valued.
Spend time one-on-one with your employees or even in a small group setting. When I worked at Marriott International’s headquarters in Washington DC, Bill Marriott, CEO, used to eat in the company cafeteria. He would go through the line like anyone else and then select a person or a group of people and ask if he could join them.
Find ways to spend time with your staff members in more casual settings rather than on Zoom or in a conference room. A client of mine used to turn the hallway into a putting green. He would shut work down on a Friday afternoon and give away funny, inexpensive prizes to the winners of putting contests. Even the non-golfers enjoyed the laughter and friendly competition.
Take time to thank your employees but do more than that—let them know you value them as a human being and watch what happens. Here’s a great quote that says it all:
“Employees who believe that management is concerned about them as a whole person and not just as an employee—are productive and more satisfied. More satisfied and fulfilled employees mean satisfied customers which leads to productivity.” -Anne M. Mulchay, Former CEO of Xerox.