by Gayle Lantz 
While reading a recent article in Fortune Small Business I was struck by all the innovative ways companies are working to inspire employees and boost their bottom line.
These companies are creating different kinds of work environments, employee benefits, community projects and corporate cultures. All are important.
At a time when organizations really need to maximize their people power, it’s tempting to look for the most cutting edge ideas or programs to implement. I encourage that.
At the same time, companies need to understand what employees really want.
At the heart of the issue of inspiring workers is a more simple concept: a person’s desire to feel valued.
Their Work Matters
As a leader, you can make the strongest impact by letting people know their work is valued. Their work matters!
How do you let them know? That’s up to you. There’s no formula or approach that works for everyone. No complicated or expensive initiative is required. The key lies in building positive working relationships with those you lead in even the smallest ways.
All you have to do is take a little time to engage with a team member instead of allowing yourself to be consumed by all the fires you have to fight during the day. A little one-on-one time with a person can go a long way.
With all the changes in business, uncertainty and fear of job loss, people want to hear from you, but they might be thinking, “The boss is too busy for me.”
Many employees are trying to perform at their best while inside they’re resentful, or worse, disillusioned. They’re questioning themselves. They lack feedback, clarity, and sometimes confidence about what they need to do to move forward.
Those who have been laid off find it especially difficult to feel like their work matters. They often have to work even harder to have a strong sense of themselves.
Your Work Matters
At the end of the day, people who believe their own work matters will have more success navigating a career transition or performing well in a current role. That applies to you as the leader as well.
The strongest performers will not depend on validation from others to know that their work matters. They know it does.
Your challenge this week is to identify those who need to hear from you. Let employees or team members know they’re valued and their work matters. Bump it up on your priority list. You’ll boost your business results.
PS – If you're struggling to inspire your employees and improve performance, let me know if I can help.
On the Lighter Side
One of the symptoms of approaching nervous breakdown is the belief that one’s work is terribly important. ~ Bertrand Russell
Leadership Resource
|
Take The Bull by the Horns was recognized as a Finalist in the 2009 Next Generation Indie Book Awards!
The book received awards in two categories: Best Business Book and Best Overall Design for Non-Fiction.
Order the print copy and/or audio program today to help you and your team take charge!
To order any WorkMatters resources, please visit
WorkMatters.com/resources
For bulk orders, contact our office directly at 
205-879-8494.
International orders may be placed through:
Amazon.com
Special distribution available in Canada.
Reprint Rights
You may reprint items from "WorkMatters Tips" in your own print or electronic newsletter. But please include the following paragraph:
Reprinted from "WorkMatters Tips," a free ezine produced by Gayle Lantz featuring tips for leaders and executives who want to grow themselves, their team and their business. Subscribe at:
WorkMatters.com/signup.