By Philip J Trobaugh
Employers
and Employees need to work together in order to be efficient and productive.
Sometimes, this is harder to achieve than it should be. Here are some tips for
both management and employees that should help create a better workplace.
5 TIPS FOR EMPLOYERS
1. Give More Informal Feedback. Don't wait to tell employees if they
are doing a good or bad job. Timely feedback goes the farthest. Periodic
feedback enables supervisors to re-enforce good performance and root out
objectionable behavior. Don't let a lot of administrative structures tie you
down in the "process" of feedback -- drop a note, e-mail, or
voice-mail to a deserving employee, or a direct verbal comment makes the most impact.
2. Avoid Dramatic Showdowns. Letting problems fester or a poor
relationship deteriorate can only lead to dramatic showdowns. Rarely does
anyone come off looking good after these incidents. They are disruptive and
disturbing for all, including managers and supervisors. You can preempt an
argument by seeing someone unscheduled on their turf, or by scheduling a
difficult meeting outside the office. Plan ahead to cover sensitive issues in a
way that does not exacerbate the situation. Always be in control of your response,
and never allow the discussion to turn into personally insulting dialogue.
3. Kindness is a Virtue. Try a little kindness in your everyday dealings with
your employees. Besides being its own benefit, kindness in the right amount can
increase morale and productivity. An inexpensive gift or card can go a long way
in sustaining or repairing a work relationship with subordinates (and
co-workers).
4. Keep Regularly Scheduled Performance Evaluations. Employees have a great deal invested
in their jobs, and they can get anxious when annual performance reviews come
around. Keeping these scheduled dates sacred goes a long way to avoiding
problems down the road. Many disgruntled workers' primary complaint is that the
employer neglected to keep regularly scheduled reviews, or ignored them
altogether. Employees need feedback in order to know what they are doing right
and what needs improvement. They also expect that well-run companies recognize
and timely act on this. This has obvious benefits to companies, too.
5. Watch Your Bedside Manner. There are many different management
styles, but one component is being aware of how you are perceived by others.
Miscommunications can be easily averted by imagining yourself as the receiver
of the message you are sending. Even bad news can be handled with tact and
efficiency. Employees will be less willing to pursue grudges against those
managers who have expressed themselves appropriately and with some sympathy.
Balance the company's need with respect for the individual.
5 TIPS FOR EMPLOYEES
1. Seek Feedback and Clarification. If you are unsure about whether you
have done a good job on a project, don't let your bewilderment poison your
attitude. Take it upon yourself to be appropriately proactive in seeking the feedback
that will allow you to move forward. Managers frequently are busy and do not
realize they have forgotten to let you know how you did, and so they do not
always take the initiative in giving you feedback. Try to keep the lines of
communication open to the extent you have control.
2. Look Down the Road. If a company seems to be making some major changes that
may not include you, don't wait until the axe falls. Get on top of the
situation and make a decision about whether you will wait it out or seek a new
position. Bemoaning a restructuring may be natural, but it does not have to be
the engine that decides your workplace fate.
3. Keep the Boss Happy, When You Can. No one likes a sycophant, but there
are ways to keep your supervisor happy that all of us must learn and practice
in order to have satisfaction in our careers and jobs. Being pleasant, helpful,
and cooperative aids in the workplace, and is a habit we should carry with us
when we are not at work. There may come a time when a boss is unpleasant, or
worse. If you cannot tolerate his unpleasantness, you may need to dust off that
resume.
4. Keep Evaluations in Perspective. Evaluations are simply a touch-base
session with your supervisor regarding your recent work performance. While many
of us link what we are with what we do, we should not let our sense of self be
tied to evaluations, even if they involve raises. If your review contains
negative comments you feel are erroneous, they should be used as a guide on how
to re-package yourself so that your next review is more positive. Respectfully
and appropriately disagree if you can do so without causing a rift with your
boss. Also, because most evaluations come only once a year, there is much
anticipation surrounding them. Don't let that eagerness cloud your ability to
separate one person's opinion about you from how you view yourself.
5. Trust Your Instincts. Most people have good instincts as to whether they are
held in good esteem by their superiors or whether they are in the doghouse. But
sometimes people ignore their instincts, usually because the reality is
difficult to accept. If you are experiencing anxiety at work, you must either
work things out with your employer or take appropriate steps to find another
job. It's better to leave on your own terms than have the terms imposed upon
you. Take control and trust your instincts.
These tips
are some common sense ways to improve your workplace situation. They are not a
cure-all, but if practiced often, they can benefit employers and employees. If
you feel that the issue you are facing in the workplace may be a legal one,
seek the help of a competent lawyer as soon as possible.
