Posted over 5 years ago

Treat Your Employees Well

There was some large-ish news last week about some of the top corporate leaders in the world, and a new focus from influential CEOs (including from Walmart, Apple, Pepsi, and others) that "they must also invest in their employees, protect the environment and deal fairly and ethically with their suppliers". Instead of ONLY focusing on shareholder value, these leaders are starting to see the importance of things that aren't as easily measurable.

But, of course, if they worked with small businesses, they would probably have learned this long ago.

Because what I have seen is that the healthiest businesses (and I am speaking FINANCIALLY) often already share this ethos.

Especially in regard to treating their employees well.

And one of the ways that you can improve in this area, if you don't already, is getting proactive in noticing things about your team that many business owners don't necessarily pay attention to.

Here's what I mean...

Smart Employers Are Rewarding These Four Traits In Their Employees

"Always treat your employees exactly as you want them to treat your best customers." -Stephen R. Covey

When you go out of your way to reward an employee, it's easy to wonder: What do other employees think about this?

And although jealousy is a possibility, rewarding team members can also motivate other employees to "level up" their performance to get on a similar track for growth.

To foster a culture built on growth and "raising the bar" for one another, it's important to reward your employees with regularity and honesty. But it's equally important to do so on an objective basis.

Here are a few items to look out for when rewarding your employees. These are "soft skills" that don't necessarily show up in typical employee evaluations, but they are critical to building a healthy team.

(Exactly what to reward them with is another conversation for another day. But get creative with it -- they will value the thought you put into those rewards.)

1. Employees Who Listen For -- And Act Upon -- Feedback

One of the most important traits in a team member is an employee who listens and responds to your leadership. We've all seen what happens when you provide direction, and it isn't immediately adhered to, or it must be repeated continuously.

Instead, you can wave the flag of responsiveness by rewarding employees who are corrected -- and then respond positively to that correction.

2. Cost Cutters

If you have employees who take active steps to save money for your organization, they should receive some type of reward or recognition. Such action shows they care enough about you and the business to save money for future growth.

3. Culture Creators

If you have an employee who is always on time, shows up daily, is attentive to detail and respects others in the process, you have a culture creator on your team. And it's important you reward that kind of behavior just as much as sales or production.

4. Lifelong Learners

The best employees are the ones who aren't content with their current skill set. Are they talented with what they currently possess? Yes. But look to reward that hunger to grow and learn more -- perhaps your reward is helping them in their journey to learn.

There are just a few examples of things to look out for when rewarding employees.

Again, this can be a FUN process. But