There are a variety of ways to encourage employee participation. To promote strong employee involvement, follow these steps:
- Find out what parts of their jobs people find the most rewarding. Provide them with opportunities to perform these tasks.
- Acknowledge work that is done well. We all want to be recognized. Employees—and supervisors—need to know what they are doing is important and appreciated.
- Be enthusiastic. Demonstrate purpose, commitment and inspiration to your employees.
- Create an upbeat work environment. Use patience and understanding when working with members of your group.
- Create an environment of growth. Encourage employees to take on new responsibilities within their capabilities. Give employees opportunity to expand their capabilities through education and training.
- Lead by example. It’s not what you say or believe. It is about what you do.
- Be available. Encourage your employees to approach you with their work-related concerns and suggestions.
- Share your authority. Give employees latitude in solving problems and in performing their tasks.
- Share the planning. Include the those responsible for meeting objectives and goals in the process of developing them.
2 responses so far ↓
Misti Burmeister // Dec 19, 2008 at 9:04 am
Your suggestions are so simple, yet SO powerful!
If we can just get leaders to understand the job of “lead” is to bring out the best in their people, we would be in great shape.
Too often people who are in leadership positions (have the right title) assume they are supposed to simply tell people what to do, then the get upset when their team doesn’t do it just right.
In all fairness, very few companies provide leadership training. They assume that because you are great at doing a task you will be great at leading others in doing the task - you know, the Peter Principle.
The reality, your suggestions are excellent and are most often appreicated by those who have a real interest in leading. i.e. bringing out the best in their team.
Rock on, superstar!
Warmly,
Misti Burmesiter, Best-selling Author of “From Boomer To Bloggers: Success Strategies Across Generations”
Misti Burmeister // Dec 19, 2008 at 9:17 am
Great article!
I have found that those who are truly committed to leading their team, rather than merely being seen as an authority figure, look for ways to bring out the best in every team member.
The challenge is the mis-conception of leadership. Too often, we assume that because we have a fancy title that means we get to tell people what to do.
The reality is that a fancy title gives professionals a beautiful opportunity to nurture the skills and abilities of their team.
Let’s be real, leadership is really about brining out the best in others and, in doing so, the leader looks great, maintains high retention rates, and produces excellent results.
Step number one: recognize a leadership position as an opportunity to develop others.
Step number two: read and re-read the 9 Tips for Developing Employee Participation.
Rock on, Superstar!
Warmly,
Misti Burmeister, Best-selling Author of “from Boomers to Bloggers: Success Strategies Across Generations”
Leave a Comment