Being part of the management of the company is not as easy as it may seem. Employees may perceive the job to be light and less stressful but the truth is, the role of being a manager or a superior is crucial to the success or failure of an organization. Plus, the responsibilities are heavy and the work is highly demanding of their skills, time, and efforts. As leaders of the organization, managers play a significant role in building employee-employee and employee-employer relationships.
Since relationships are essential to the success of a company, those in the management must lead good examples of establishing professional relations and affiliations with the people at work. In most cases, the managers and team leaders must initiate the approach because the members and the juniors find it awkward to establish the rapport first. Probably, it is because of the fact that they belong to the higher level of hierarchy makes it uneasy for the juniors to connect easily with them.
Be Readily Available
Work relationships have to be professional, but sometimes a bit of personal touch helps in making genuine connections. They say that there should be a boundary or an underlying distinction in the interaction of trainers to trainees, managers to the members, and the individuals from the team leaders and supervisors. However, when this is the set up in your company, employees will find it an uncomfortable feeling and they would tend to act stiff at work. If they have some concerns that they would like to bring up with the management, for example, they will hesitate to voice it out and would rather keep silent. If they are given a big project and confusions arise, they will not have the courage to freely ask their managers about it for clarification. Such work atmosphere will not help the work relationship grow.
Managers must build good relationships with juniors by being readily available for them. As a superior, you have to make your members feel and know that you are a team player and can get along well with anyone at work. This makes it easier for the individuals to work and is less stressful on their part. In a company where managers are available for their juniors, the work atmosphere is productive and carrying out the task becomes effective.
Acknowledge their Efforts
A nice recognition at work for the achievements done is very self-rewarding. Employees need to have this feeling of recognition every time they complete a given project, excel in their performance, or any little accomplishments they have at work. Being appreciated not only boosts their self-confidence but brings them closer to you as their superiors who they look up to as good examples.
There are different ways to show acknowledgement of their efforts. One way to do it is to verbally and personally express your appreciation. You may not realize it but the individual being acknowledged would feel very grateful and even privileged to have been approached by a manager.
Another way to reward the person is to give an increase in the compensation. Do this when the member really deserves a salary raise commensurate to the quality of work. If an increase in the salary is not amenable, allowances and incentives will be a good alternative.
Connect with Your Members
Apart from being available for them, also connect with your juniors or members. Be cordial and amicable, but do not be overly friendly. Make them feel and let them know that you still want to keep things professional. Show interest in your people by finding time to chat with them asking them how they are doing and if they have issues or concerns. Always find time to stay in touch with your members regularly so that your relationship with them remains both cordial and professional.
If you are managing a team, they might want to invite you for a team night out. Honor the invitation but do it sparingly as they might take advantage of your being too friendly and sociable. During team building activities, make it a point to join in the fun. They will appreciate your interest in getting along with them. You can have your own simple way of connecting with your juniors or members but do not forget to keep the professionalism at work.
