The word “work” has a slightly negative connotation. We complain that we have work, we say that work exhausts us. But we all must do it because that is what responsible adults do and the world would not function without it.
We spend most of our time at work, so it makes sense to make that time enjoyable rather than a negative experience. While we can change our attitude slightly to make work more enjoyable, the majority of this task lies in the hands of leaders and managers.
When employees begin to work at a company, they are usually excited to become an integral part of the organization. However, companies that do not develop a solid employee-based culture will soon lose the loyalty and enthusiasm of these people.
A simple but powerful thing that companies can do is to focus on the positive rather than the negative. It is human nature to complain when things go wrong. But good leaders will avoid this. At Jaipur Rugs, we make sure that employees know they are part of an extended family, not just a company.
Rather than feeling like they are coming to work, employees regard the organization as a place where they are going to be with their own. They are motivated to do the best job they can and they feel a sense of loyalty and belonging.
For example, I am a strong believer that healthy eating has a very positive affect not only on the body but also the mind. Given this, we grow organic vegetables that are then used to make vegan food for our employees. Everyone is encouraged to share a meal during their lunch time.
We aim to foster a sense of belonging and togetherness among all of the employees. This also gives an opportunity for people who may not be on the same team to interact. The more connection there is among employees, the stronger the bond will be.
We also strive to make sure that when employees do a good job, they are acknowledged. Often, when something goes wrong that is the only time a manager will interact with an employee. This only breeds a negative environment. While criticism is valid, it needs to be done in a way that is constructive and not hurtful. Even better is to acknowledge the good that employees do. When people are praised, they feel valued and loved. People simply want recognition of their efforts.
I am also a strong believer in education. We encourage employees to enroll in classes so that they can expand their knowledge and to further pursue career goals. We do not want anyone in our organization to remain stagnant. By educating employees, the entire company benefits because we can integrate more ideas and insight.
When you focus on an employee’s personal growth, he or she will feel valued. We target this growth by conducting regular training sessions and workshops. Employees need to know that they are trusted. This gives them the opportunity to grow and lead.
Another big factor in gaining employee loyalty and faith is giving them a certain sense of autonomy in their work. Micromanaging is one of the most harmful things that leaders and managers can do but, unfortunately, many companies still operate this way.
Managers and leaders should place enough trust in their employees so they are able to do their work effectively. These people were hired to do a job, so if you stand in their way the entire organization is damaged.
Trusting employees and letting them do their jobs with minimal interference shows that you trust and value their judgement. This creates happy and satisfied workers who will remain loyal to the organization and its culture.
