5 THINGS EVERY BOSS MUST DO TO MAKE THEIR PEOPLE HAPPY

For some individuals, their moods are directly related to their managers’ attitudes. Consider these five simple steps every boss should take to ensure their employees’ happiness in the workplace.

1. FIRST, EVERY BOSS MUST LISTEN TO THEIR EMPLOYEES

The most important quality a great boss can have is being a great listener. With the emphasis on the importance of “listening with intent.”

“In leadership counseling, people are very excited about their ideas and want to move very quickly,” according to Steve Bushnell, leadership coach and founder of Charles River Careers. “What they don’t often do is listen to the wisdom of their reports.”

To listen with intent, bosses must deliberately make time to listen and must be present when they are engaging with their staff.

Which means you don’t go in with pre-existing biases. You go in with an open mindset. If you walk in with your own biases, you can’t really be listening.

2. BOSSES MUST UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF A WORK-LIFE BALANCE

Work should never completely consume an employee’s life. People have hobbies, commitments, and events that are happening outside of the office, and managers must be open to exploring these other areas with their team.

Give people flexibility to do the work in a way that suits their busy, complicated lives. The more you can direct and improve that balance, the more present, engaged, and available in the end they’ll be. And yes, they’ll be happier.

3. MANAGERS MUST GIVE THEIR PEOPLE FEEDBACK ON THEIR WORK

Managers should be giving their team regular and ongoing feedback. Whether it’s positive or negative, communication is important in creating an enjoyable work environment.

“When I’m alone in my cube by myself all day long, it’s nice when someone checks on me and sees how I’m doing,” Bushnell said. “I want to know that what I’m doing is connected to the organization. I want to work with people who are interested in and care about what I’m doing.”

Feedback is best when given face-to-face. Stop by your person’s office, cube, or connect over Skype video. Say thank you, I really appreciate what you are doing on our projects.

4. GREAT MANAGERS CONNECT THEIR EMPLOYEES’ ROLES TO THE LARGER PICTURE

For your team to be happy, they have to feel like the job they’re doing actually matters. If they feel like they are wasting their time, they will ultimately become uninterested in the job as a whole.

You should connect their role to the larger mission of the organization. “You want to be building the cathedral, and not just making the bricks.”

As a caring and competent leader, managers should make it clear what the goals are and what they are trying to accomplish as a company. They should then explain how each role fits into that larger picture.

5. BOSSES MUST OFFER FAIR AND REASONABLE COMPENSATION

And though it may seem far too obvious, people are most happy when they are getting well paid. If workers believe they are not getting paid fairly, they will likely feel underappreciated and taken advantage of. And it’s also likely they’ll soon be heading out the door.