Create events and projects that facilitate employee relationships. When employees have one good friend or acquaintance in the workplace they tend to be more engaged and demonstrate higher levels of communication. Schedule happy hours, team lunches, in office yoga, secret Santa etc.. Anything you can do to create cohesion will help the company bottom line.
Define universal values or traits you want to see in employees. Collaboration, support, kindness, respect, honesty, transparency…whatever they are pick three to really hone in on. Incorporate these into your work day and your interactions with staff. Find ways to filter events and expectations of others through these core values. Employees are watching you as their leader. Every action you do should be done with the assumption that someone is watching. Live your values you want to see in your workers.
Create a comfy workplace. Is your workplace environment stale, run down, or unkept? Employees are affected by their environment. Create warm inviting lighting in your office. Add some live plants. Create gathering places with cozy couches and snacks. Offer bottle water, tea and coffee.
Especially the newer generations, employees want to grow and evolve as professionals as wells for the company. Adapt a value that learning is ongoing. Provide training and personal coaching for your staff to make them feel appreciated. A highly trained professional creates a more highly qualified team but it also allows the employee to gain skills and better their resumes. When employees see that a company can add value to their personal development they are more likely to stick around longer and feel more appreciated. When employees feel appreciated they tend to be more productive, engaged and perform better
Notice employee burnout. When employees are stressed and overwhelmed its a good sign you have an unhealthy work culture. Reward for results not hours. Encourage employees to leave on time or take comp days. Encourage healthy lifestyles and hire temporary staff when needed. Let employees see you care about them as a person and their loyalty to you and the company will soar.