Keeping employees happy is a complicated process, and it isn’t always tied up with the company. It could be something in their personal life or a shift in a cultural climate. Even if you can’t help with their personal relationships outside of work, there’s a lot you can do to keep them motivated, proactive, and interested in their own growth during office hours. Here are five ways to support employee growth and professional development in the workplace.
Encourage Relocation Opportunities
Executive relocation is an exciting adventure for some employees. When asking your employee to relocate, consider their living situation. Millennials and singles are more likely to relocate because they view moving to a new country as a fantastic opportunity to experience a new culture, improve communication skills, and network with interesting people. There are multiple executive relocation companies available that can take care of the most stressful parts of moving to a new country, so your employees can concentrate on their growth, performance, and the new opportunity presented to them.
Verbal Recognition and Rewards
Supporting your employees’ growth doesn’t have to come from grand presents; some are just happy that you acknowledged their successes and mentored them when they fail. Giving recognition and constructive criticism encourages loyalty, which is a driving force to employee growth. When workers feel appreciated, performance levels increase. Consider recognizing your employees spontaneously as well, as 47% of employees prefer rewards that are spontaneous, performance-related, and personalized.
Be a Mentor
Employees no longer respond well to demands. Instead, they want managers they can learn from and work with, rather than against, similar to a mentor or a coach. Organizations that support growth in their employees by creating a managing culture that’s approachable can develop better relationships. Managers shouldn’t be terrifying to their employees, because it fosters a culture of deceit. If they know a mistake will cause a write-up or severe discipline, they may not speak up. Professional development training and an approachable environment will foster growth.
Develop Soft Skills
A soft skill refers to personal and non-technical attributes that will help you succeed in your future prospects. These skills can include delegation, time management, communication, active listening, and more. Ask your employees to take a class online that develops these skills, because it can increase the productivity of the entire team – not just the individual employee. While productivity is incredibly essential, an organization needs to take a front-row seat for the betterment of employee development.
Cross-Departmental Training
Organizations could benefit from cross-departmental training because they know how every unit operates. When an employee receives a promotion, they can move seamlessly into their role, while assistant managers can oversee a sick manager’s duties. Moreover, breaking departmental barriers can improve communication throughout the workplace and increase efficiency. Employees who understand your business feel empowered to take on different areas and improve productivity while they’re at it.