In last week’s blog post we explored some of the simple, yet incredibly effective, ways you can start to increase the level of trust within your organization. Simply helping employees to do their jobs efficiently goes a long way in building trust and developing relationships with coworkers. Remember that if your people fail, so do you. Helping them is thus one of your top imperatives – it’s a bonus that this helps to increase their level of trust in you as a leader. This week we’ll be focusing on the importance of appreciation.
A Spirit of Appreciation
Everyone needs to know they matter somehow, that their work has value to someone. Each of your people seeks purpose, whether they recognize it or not.
Being valued for who they are and what they do is critical to self-worth and self-esteem. Without these no one is motivated about his or her duties, let alone succeeding at them.
If you show your people that you appreciate them, you are telling them they are worth valuing. You show them they are important to the organization, and they’re important to you as their leader. Your employees will respond by valuing their relationship with you, and in turn offer you their trust.
You can demonstrate that you value someone simply by showing an interest in them and their lives. Most people generally respond well to this, but only if it’s sincere. Faking it will be spotted eventually, and the outcome will be worse than not attempting at all.
Get to know your employees, their interests and aspirations. You can value people by understanding what they need, and caring enough to provide it if possible. You’re telling them that they are important enough to step up and offer the kind of help only someone at your level can provide.
Another important way to value people is to acknowledge their successes and celebrate with them. In the Entrepreneur Magazine article 9 Tests Every Leader Must Pass, Alan Zimmerman describes the importance of not only highlighting your peoples’ success but also rewarding it appropriately. These are powerful ways to value people that help them feel needed. Their trust in you will grow.
Have you made it a point to show your employees that they’re appreciated? Have you noticed a difference in their productivity or attitude around the office afterwards? As always I would love to hear from you. I can be reached here or on LinkedIn.
