Managers Beware--Your Employees Are Watching You

Is "walking the talk" a tired old cliché or a boldcompassion by being flexible with hours and time off
new concept? Very few managers today areso they can tend to family emergencies or illnesses.
receiving formal management training. As a result,-Be a mentor and coach by sharing your knowledge
many are poor communicators and weak in theirand experience. Explain to them how business
delegation and leadership skills.decisions were made, especially when it involves
According to a Gallup poll, 25% of U.S. employeesthem.
would fire their bosses if they could. Why? Because-Trust your employees and be willing to delegate
many managers set high service standards for theirprojects based on their strengths. If you tend to be
employees, yet fail to abide by those samea control freak, learn to let go and get out of the
standards.habit of micro-managing people.
If you are a manager, you are in an excellent position-Let your employees know they're valued. Smile at
to lead by example. Your employees will only respectthem, be approachable, remember the names of their
your authority if they observe your excellentfamily members and sincerely thank them every
customer service skills on a daily basis. Customerchance you get.
loyalty must be a top-down initiative.The only times that employees can successfully
Here are five ways you can earn greater respectchallenge your authority is when they see that you
and increase employee loyalty:are not practicing what you preach. Keep in mind that
-Always give performance reviews and salaryyour employees are your primary customers. Treat
increases on the promised dates. Employees havethem with the same respect and caring service that
those dates memorized. They won't feel valued andyou deliver to your external customers. Remember
will resent you if their review dates are postponed orthat you set the tone for your entire department.
forgottenYour employees are watching you!
-Have empathy for your employees. Show