I can still remember way back when HR was still called personnel. I almost prefer that title, because Human Resources sounds like a farm where people are grown and then plucked from the trees to fulfill the needs of the company.
Employees are in-fact people with needs and desires. They want to be treated with respect and grow into better versions of themselves. Operating with this understanding is not in opposition to business goals, it complements them perfectly.
Setting goals towards profitable outcomes is a necessary part of any business strategy, but the focus should be primarily on supporting employees. When people feel that their efforts are supported by management, they will be naturally aligned with achieving success for themselves and for the company.
Here are four simple ways to show your commitment to employee success:
1. Ask questions. Regularly asking questions is an agile way of keeping up with what’s really going on. Answers become conversations about what is most essential and meaningful for the team and the company, and those conversations transform into action.
“What are your triumphs? Where are you stuck? Do you feel recognized and valued? How is your energy?” These questions help create genuine relationships between employees and managers so that people will naturally want to contribute.
2. Give feedback. Asking questions provides employees with a voice but that’s not quite enough. Close the feedback loop by responding positively and graciously to employees and offering support for their challengers. You will cultivate their genuine love for their work and dedication to your company.
3. Create space and grant trust. Provide people with opportunities to problem-solve on their own. Giving employees autonomy demonstrates trust and helps them feel fulfilled. When employees know that a leader creates a safe space for them to perform their best work, they simultaneously become the best versions of themselves. They naturally become more accountable, which leads to increased loyalty and lower turnover.
4. Invest in personal goals. Leaders worry that employee’s personal projects draw focus away from work, but in reality, they make people feel more motivated. At 15Five, every employee receives $500 for their birthday to spend on any personal development course they choose. This may not relate directly to what they do at the office, but they show-up feeling more fulfilled, supported, and energized.
Unlike resources which have limited potential, people increase in value through support and recognition. When they are treated like assets, they will be unable to perform at their highest levels and will be unwilling to contribute in a way that leads to growth and success. But when employees feel valued as people there is no limit to what they can accomplish.