Communication, Communication, Communication
Communication doesn’t mean long lectures or sending powerful email messages or constant visibility, but acknowledging and using a simple powerful word that can empower an employee’s day.
Big or small, top-level or bottom level. As a leader, it is your responsibility to communicate. You’ve hired them. Hence, you have every right to communicate with each one.
If there is a gap for some reason or in understanding or in thinking between employer and employee as a leader it is your responsibility to talk to him/her and to understand them and know them and assist in closing the gap.
If your employee writes (asking for help or for any other reason) you have to reply to them back. This shows I respect you. You are our employee. That shows you are not biased. But you are balanced.
It is not just an employer-to-employee relationship but you are treating him/her as a human being. It tells that I am here for you. (I understand it is hard to manage/allocate your time for everyone). But you have chosen yourself to be a leader. Hence, you have no choice. You have to acknowledge.
This empowers the employee. As everything in this world is give and take. The employee starts respecting you. From now onwards you are a better leader in employee’s view. He or she is happy to be there. Because you have responded back respecting the emotions and spirits of an employee.
This is contagious. If you make one employee happy the happiness spreads. All you will have is one happy family. Everyone starts respecting you. This bonds everyone. Everyone starts working for you.
I am not saying that managing people/employee(s) is easy. But at the same time, the small gestures you do are what makes the difference for the people/employees to like you and motivates them to work for you.
A simple “Thank You” for an employee who has written an email expressing an opinion might make him/her happy. (you might follow the opinion of that employee or you might not, it does not matter).
But one word “thank you” can have a ripple effect. That one word will further inspire the employee. Because he/she had thought for you (your organization), he/she has done something beyond their responsibilities and invested their mind and time for you.
Yes, I agree you are paying but an acknowledgment from you can help the employee to be empowered. And, this might trigger him/her to churn out more ideas or innovation.
In the end, one powerful word “thank you” from you can empower your entire organization.