Creating a Culture Where Employees Feel Valued

Everyone wishes to feel valued and embrace the belief that we are of value to others. Everyone can contribute towards creating a culture where all the participants feel appreciated for who they are and what they do. When employees are appreciated, it makes them feel valued by their colleagues, their respective managers, and the organisation as a whole. Research suggests when employees feel valued, they end up contributing more and perform better at work. Employees tend to be more engaged, passionate, and loyal towards their work when they are appreciated. It also leads them to have positive interactions with the people whom they work with. When companies value their employees, it eventually receives a considerable payoff. A study conducted by Jackson Organisation revealed that organisations which effectively appreciate their employees enjoy a much higher return on assets and equity compared to firms that don’t. In fact, the number one factor behind the happiness of employees is to be appreciated!

Key Strategies That Show Employees You Care

1. Always remember to appreciate your employees. Always make a note when your employees do some exemplary work or display an attitude which adds value to the organisation. For instance, it can be either their positive attitude towards their work or the thought and effort that they invested into a project. You must ensure that you let them know that you appreciate their work and value them for who they are. Different people like to be recognised in a different manner. Some individuals may wish to hear words of praise or receive a written appreciation, while there may be others who wish for some help and support. There may be some individuals who feel valued when you spend some time with them or give out some gifts or even a pat on the back. Try to customise your expression of appreciation to meet the employee’s style. All you need is a sincere attitude towards appreciating your employees.
2. 2. Always ensure that your employees comprehend the expectations. Immerse your employees in the vision, values, and mission of your organisation. They must also understand the objective behind the projects that they are working on. It is challenging to perform well when you are not sure of what is expected out of you and what the goal of a particular task is. Employees don’t like to be in a situation where no one takes the time to clarify and explain the task at hand. Hence, you must ensure that your employees know their role in contributing towards the organisation’s goals. Make them understand that all the tasks that they perform eventually contribute towards the success of the greater organisational mission.
3. Show genuine interest towards your employees. When an employee comes to work, apart from his physical self, he or she also carries along his or her life history, their experiences and stories, and their personal life. So it is significant that you ask them often about themselves. If you connect with them at a personal level, it will provide you with an insight into their past, their present, and their aspirations for the future. When you show genuine interest, it makes them feel that you care about them as a person and not just as a resource.
4. Make an effort to openly communicate with your employees. Recently a survey was conducted across the US with around 1000 full-time employees. The survey results revealed that 81% of the surveyed individuals were of the opinion that they would rather work for an organisation that values open communication than one which offers them lucrative perks. These individuals were of the opinion that they feel valued when they are involved in conversations which impact the organisation.
5. Seek your employee’s opinion. Whenever possible, ensure that you ask for your employees’ ideas, feedback, and opinions. When you tend to consider the ideas of your employees it makes them much more willing to come forward and contribute as an integral part of the team.
6. Help your employees pursue their aspirations. Take some time out to understand your employees’ key strengths and career aspirations. When you tend to help your employees by offering them the required support, teaching skills, connections, mentoring, and new opportunities, you help them feel empowered. Ensure that you utilise the key strengths of each of your employees. When you do so, it will bring out the best in them and prove to be beneficial to the organisation in the long run. It is a natural human tendency that we always work hard for those individuals who help us along the way. It also ensures a sense of loyalty from your employees.
7. Show you trust. Wherever possible, provide your employees with the freedom to own their projects. It gives them an immense sense of empowerment and pride when they perform well and take the ownership of the results.
8. Be accountable. Ensure that you always follow through on the commitments that you make to your employees. When you are accountable, it is a way of displaying respect towards your employees. It is another way of communicating to the other person that he or she is important to you. Being accountable also indicates that in case you need to break a commitment, you take up the ownership and make the necessary amends towards it. It is another way of building trust amongst your employees and letting them know that you value and respect them.
9. Make your new employees feel welcome. It’s important to get new employees off on the right foot, as it assures them that their success matters to the organisation. The first step towards making them feel welcome is to extend them a warm welcome. Acclimatize them to the culture of the organisation and provide them with an understanding of the overall vision of the organisation and how their role fits into the larger picture.
10. Always ensure to be authentic. When you display authenticity, it makes your employees comfortable to be who they are. When they realise that genuineness and honesty are the norms in the organisation, they feel more inspired, open, and creative. As a result, they tend to give their best performance at work.

When you value your employees, they gain a high level of confidence, feel good about themselves, and are eager to contribute. The reaction of employees towards the organisation impacts their attitude and how they feel about themselves. It is a great feeling for employees to feel valued. It helps in creating a culture where everyone feels valued. The return for you as an organisation and your employees is much beyond your imagination and expectation.