Written by Mike McMullin
My last column focused on how to provide great customer service. I ended it by saying, “The best way to ensure your customers are treated like VIPs is to treat your employees like VIPs. The customer comes second. Treat your employees well and they will treat the customers well.”
So, what are some of the things great leaders do that builds incredible loyalty and keeps employees fully engaged and sticking around in this era of job-hoppers?
Give Your People Your Time
This is of paramount importance and it communicates that they matter. In my past life, I had many bosses. Most of them were far from great. The one exception was Lou, my greatest boss ever. No matter how busy he was, when I walked into his office, he gave me his undivided attention. I wasn’t a bother. I’ve heard of some “leaders” who have gone a full year without ever personally meeting with the people they manage. Can you imagine that?
Give Your People Recognition For Their Ideas And Compliment Them On A Job Well Done
Some of the “not-so-great bosses” I’ve had in the past specialized in berating employees in a meeting. One man consistently acted like a child having a tantrum and he left people emotionally gutted. Acknowledge accomplishments in front of the entire team and you will leave people striving to do more and to share their improvement ideas. You will inspire loyalty. Your people will not want to let you down.
Remember That Family Comes First
Have empathy and don’t just quote company policy when someone has an unexpected problem at home and needs a little extra time off. Be flexible. Allow some remote work. Bend “policies” for the sake of your people whenever possible.
Pay Employees What They’re Worth
Fight for raises for your team. When you consider the exorbitant cost of replacing good people (some studies suggest up to 400% of a top performer’s salary), it makes no sense to be cheap.
Delegate And Get Out Of Their Way
Teddy Roosevelt is quoted as saying, “Delegation requires the willingness to pay for short term failures in order to gain long term competency. The best executive is one who has sense enough to pick good people to do what he wants done, and self-restraint enough to keep from meddling with them while they do it.” Don’t micromanage.
If You Have Someone Who Requires Micromanagement, Don’t Be Afraid To Pull The Plug
Keeping an employee onboard who consistently fails is a sure way to let top performers know that there are no consequences for not doing their jobs.
Always Treat Your Employees With Respect
When I think back to working for Lou, it was a joy and a breath of fresh air.
Most people quit their job because they have a lousy boss. Bad leaders cultivate bad employee morale. Upper management shouldn’t keep a bad leader who creates a cancerous company culture.
Put your employees first.
Be a great leader. Be a Lou.
