Imagine that you are baking a cake and you get distracted. Do you think you would remember how much salt you put in? Would you remember if you put in two teaspoons of baking powder? Maybe you just put in one!
The same is true when you want to establish rapport with your employees. Focus is critical and isn’t easy. There are a million distractions throughout the day, but you will need to make a conscious effort to be aware and mindful in order to establish an enduring connection with the staff members who work for you. However, if you do it successfully, the rewards are great.
Listen Intently
When an employee approaches you with a problem or something he or she needs to discuss, it’s important for you to find a quiet spot that is free of distractions. Breathe deeply and focus on what he or she has to say. Don’t be afraid to take notes about key points. Let employees know that you are doing this so that you can be sure you have understood the problem correctly and suggest solutions. In many cases you may not have an immediate solution. Let him or her know that you will get back as soon as possible with some alternatives. Sometimes a solution is not required. Your employee just wants to be heard. Venting can be helpful, but always work toward constructive solutions.
Empower Them
New employees aren’t ready to take on all the responsibilities that the day care staff can handle. However, once you see that someone is well trained, encourage him or her to take control over situations. Of course, there are some situations that require your guidance and assistance. Communicate this clearly to your staff so they know which types of emergencies or problems need your final say. At your staff meetings, give them examples so they know how much power they have over the day-to-day operations. The more you can delegate and the more they feel empowered, the more smoothly your business will run on a day-to-day basis.
Speak with Them One-on-One
Take the time to meet with each staff member on a one-to-one basis at least once or twice a month. Discuss the staff member’s goals and the goals of your organization. Ask them for input on how you can help make their job easier and less stressful. Listen to their ideas for improvements even in your own managerial style. Be open to their feedback.
Ask Questions
When you see an issue occurring, nip it quickly by asking questions. Instead of accusing the employee of behavior that could be improved, put the onus on him or her by asking questions and helping the employee come up with his or her own solutions. I see that several of the children were not taking an afternoon nap. How do you think you could get them to feel more relaxed so they will not disrupt the others? Is there anything we could do in the environment to facilitate their relaxation?
Praise Them
Just like the children you care for and teach, employees respond well to well-delivered praise. Praise shouldn’t be offered in a condescending way, but instead it should come from a place of gratitude and admiration. Even though you are the manager or owner of your business you can always learn something new by watching your experienced employees. Some people have a persuasive manner that might be different than your style. Don’t be afraid to watch, listen, learn and place different effective teaching techniques in the toolkit for your business.