Recent statistics indicate that scientific information doubles every two to four years; general information doubles a little less frequently. At any moment you can search and find a response to most any question. Over 350 million times a day, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other social networks are sharing information within and between networks. We are connected.
We are connected to mountains of information — too much to sort through to find things that are meaningful for the business. So, how does management stay current with things that affect the business such as changes to the environment, regulation, customers, competition, demographics, workplace efficiency, and innovation? They connect to their people.
Our employees are our eyes and ears to our constantly changing and information-rich world. Employee are connected to their networks — they watch, listen, text, tweet, e-mail and post. They are significant sources of meaningful information. They know it; you need it.
How do you engage and inspire your employees? How do you connect with them to win them into sharing what they know with you? In today’s intellectual workplace management cannot mandate performance — employees control their thinking, innovation, effort and engagement; they choose to perform. Command-and-control management is ineffective. Today, great managers must engage and inspire employees to activate their performance and loyalty. Managers must engage and inspire employees to share what they see and hear, and to invent, innovate and respond.
These are my favorite questions to start a value-add dialog with your employees. When they know you are interested in them as people, they respond. When they see you know their talents, values and interests, they feel important and become more loyal.
Ask these questions to personally connect to your employees:
- What are you good at and what do you love to do? How do you get to do this (these) in your job?
- What are two things you need in the workplace to help you perform better?
- What makes you feel important, valued and part of our workplace family?
- What skills would help you feel more competent and confident in your job?
- What other responsibilities or jobs in the organization would you like to be involved in?
At a time of doing more with less, it is critical to inspire your employees to their greatest performance. These employees have the information you need to be successful. Ask. Listen. Think. Care. Respond. Connect. This is personal.
Email
ShareThis