“A kind word can warm three months of winter.”
- Japanese Proverb
Posted by: Esther Groves, Performance Improvement Consultant
We were recently interviewing some frontline employees at a client site. When we asked why they thought there was high turnover in their ranks, they explained that their supervisors and managers rarely talked to or acknowledged them anymore. Everyone had become so busy with the work at hand that they had gotten out of the habit of speaking to each other as they passed in the hall or arrived at work in the morning. When we asked the group why they themselves had stayed, they said it was because of the relationships with their co-workers.
Most people in the workplace crave connection and communication with the other human beings who share their space. Simple kindness toward and acknowledgement of employees can turn a workplace from a cold, impersonal place to a warm and vibrant environment where people are energized and motivated to stay. Employees particularly crave the attention of their supervisors and managers.
So next time you arrive at the office or get up from your desk:
· Take a quick tour around the floor and greet the people who work for you.
· Look them in the eye.
· Sincerely ask how they are doing and listen to the answer.
· Cultivate a culture of camaraderie and see what happens!
A little bit goes a long way.
