Last updated on Jun 17, 2024

Here's how you can foster and sustain strong relationships with your employees.

As a supervisor, building and maintaining strong relationships with your employees is crucial for a thriving work environment. It requires consistent effort, genuine interest in their well-being, and a commitment to communication. When you invest in these relationships, you not only boost morale but also enhance productivity and loyalty. Understanding each individual's strengths and motivations can lead to a more harmonious and effective team. Remember, your role is not just to oversee work but to foster a space where everyone feels valued and understood.

1 Open Dialogue

Encourage open communication by creating an environment where employees feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and concerns. Regular one-on-one meetings can provide a private space for discussion, while team meetings allow for group input and collaboration. Be an active listener, showing empathy and understanding without judgment. By valuing their voices, you build trust and demonstrate that you see them as key contributors to the team's success.

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Susanna Ritchie

Lawyer | COO | Consultant | Founder @ Workplace Wizards | Speaker | Trainer | Governance
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One thing I've learnt from my work with many workplaces over the years is that, while it certainly is important to encourage open communication and feedback, you have to be prepared to handle the information you are given and do something with it. For example, when checking in on staff you need to be prepared for what happens if the employee is not okay. How will you respond? What support can you offer when you are not their psychologist or counsellor? Further, when collecting feedback from your team in meetings or in surveys, you need to be prepared to act on the feedback. Collecting feedback without taking it on board will undermine your team's confidence in being open with you in future about their ideas, feelings and challenges.

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2 Mutual Respect

Respect is the cornerstone of any strong relationship, and it's a two-way street. Show respect for your employees by acknowledging their expertise and contributions. Treat them as professionals with valuable insights. This respect will encourage them to take ownership of their work and feel proud of what they accomplish. In turn, they will likely extend the same respect to you and their colleagues, fostering a respectful workplace culture.

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3 Personal Growth

Invest in your employees' personal and professional growth. Offer opportunities for them to learn new skills or improve existing ones. Support their career aspirations by providing mentorship or suggesting relevant training programs. When employees see that you care about their growth, they feel more engaged and connected to the company. This not only benefits their personal development but also contributes to the organization's pool of skills and knowledge.

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4 Recognition and Rewards

Recognize and reward your employees for their hard work and achievements. This doesn't always mean financial incentives; verbal praise, awards, or additional responsibilities can be just as effective. Celebrate milestones, both big and small, to show that you notice and appreciate their efforts. Recognition reinforces positive behavior and motivates employees to maintain high performance standards.

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5 Work-Life Balance

Promote a healthy work-life balance by acknowledging that employees have lives outside of work. Encourage them to take time off when needed and be flexible with work schedules if possible. By showing that you care about their well-being, you create a supportive work environment. This can lead to reduced stress, better health, and increased job satisfaction among your team members.

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6 Consistent Support

Provide consistent support to your employees by being available when they need guidance or assistance. Whether it's helping them navigate a challenging project or offering advice on career progression, your support is invaluable. It shows that you are invested in their success and willing to help them overcome obstacles. This consistent support can deepen the trust between you and your employees, solidifying your relationship.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Surendra Mishra ,

Director -Commercial & Legal SCM-Consultancy- Training |BE,LLB, PGDMM,MBA |Oil &gas| Infrastructure | Marine| Rail| Solar| [Ex-ADNOC,KOC,QG, ONGC, ADB]
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Create Ownership & sense of belonging mindset among employees Employee , must become first party along with stakeholders and identify themselves with organization instilling in their mind ownership and sense of belonging . They must be convinced that the organization is equally is their as it is for owners group and success of organization will directly benefit themin terms of career growth , perks and other benefits including social recognition .

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Here's how you can foster and sustain strong relationships with your employees.

1

2

3

4

5

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1 Open Dialogue

2 Mutual Respect

3 Personal Growth

4 Recognition and Rewards

5 Work-Life Balance

6 Consistent Support

7 Here’s what else to consider

Supervisory Skills

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Here's how you can foster and sustain strong relationships with your employees.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Open Dialogue

2 Mutual Respect

3 Personal Growth

4 Recognition and Rewards

5 Work-Life Balance

6 Consistent Support

7 Here’s what else to consider

Supervisory Skills

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