Does your small business promote a culture that increases productivity? Overworked and stressed employees do not help your bottom line. Even worse, their stress often starts before they do their job.
How to help employees reduce stress
Small Business Trends spoke with Stacey Engle, Executive Vice President of Fierce Conversations. She has provided 10 ways to help employees reduce stress and increase productivity at work.
Focus on open communication
"It's about equipping your employees to have conversations," says Engle. "It's definitely underestimated."
Sometimes small business owners take things for granted because they know their employees. Do not assume that communication lines are open is the first step.
Listen to them
Small business owners need to master this aspect of management. During any business day, it is easy to get ahead. Watching your employees in the eyes while they talk helps you slow down and maintain the type of contact that works.
Encourage them to ask for what they need
This should apply to short-term demands like working at home everyday for a variety of reasons. Being aware that the circumstances of your employees can change is behind this advice. For example, it's a great solution when a babysitter does not show up.
Building a community between them
Team leaders who know how to promote good culture ensure that they encourage team members to support each other.
"They can not always pass on their workload to other team members," explains Engle, "but having a sounding board is also extremely important in reducing stress. Building a community in the workplace is very important. "
Authorize personal keys
The kind of atmosphere that you allow employees to create increases their productivity. If you allow them to decorate their booths, they will feel more comfortable with the work that they have to do. Letting them increase the amount of natural light that they get reduces their stress. This can be as simple as opening a shadow.
Be transparent
Good leaders do not hesitate to let their employees know what they think about workload challenges and the like. Engle says it's a huge part of helping employees understand the approach of a small business to a productive and engaged culture.
Be Authentic
This is an important part of building trust between managers and employees. Fierce Conversations looks at this aspect of what Engle calls "persistent identity" in conversations.
"That means coming to the business table every day like you really are," she says. "The way you show yourself in conversations with others is so important."
Check your intentions often
Small business owners always want to increase their bottom line. They must always be aware of the best way to increase it is to be aware of the fact that they are dealing with their peers. Take the time to make sure you have this balance in mind before giving the direction that works best.
Providing Days of Mental Health
It is not only important to provide this option, but also to ensure that employees feel comfortable enough to know if their stress is work-related or not. Gathering information from people who feel stressed helps you overcome the barriers of corporate culture.
Take the time to converse in real time
Although mobile devices, software and even PCs today make up much of the small business toolbox, you can not give up on the human element and stay productive.
Engle explains, "Technology is a tool that should not be a substitute for real-time communication," she says. This does not necessarily require you to tidy up your devices. She says you can use your phone to talk and watch videos, but face-to-face meetings increase your bottom line.
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