Losing Touch with Your Employees? Tips to Get Connected

By Refresh Leadership ·

The new hit reality show called “Undercover Boss” has millions of Americans laughing, but more importantly, it has some employees feeling hopeful they’re finally being heard.

If you’ve missed this popular new show, CBS’s “Undercover Boss” follows corporate executives from companies like 7-Eleven and Waste Management as they go undercover and work on the “front lines” of their businesses. These executives see first hand what it takes to work in the field instead of in their cushy, corner offices at headquarters. But, they’re learning more than just how hard it is to work on the forefront, they’re learning about their employees. And, it’s inspiring these executives to take a more active approach to getting to know their staff and how the decisions they make each day affect their team and company.

Although not all executives can work undercover without being noticed like the bosses on the show, there are ways you can get in touch with your employees.

Take an Employee to Lunch. Make it a point to take one employee to lunch each month. Take this opportunity to ask questions and invite them to ask you questions. While you won’t be able to hide your identity to allow employees more carefree communication like the bosses on “Undercover Boss” do, you can still get your employees to open up by talking about more than just work, starting with yourself first. Put them at ease by letting them know you can relate and that you genuinely care about who they are as a person.

Walk in Their Shoes. You may have worked your way up to your current position, served in several areas of the company, and know the ends and out of your business. Still, it’s important to understand the roles of all your employees today. So, take time to shadow an employee who works in an area you’re not familiar with – or one who works your old desk – to see how things may have changed. Don’t interfere, offer criticism, or give constructive feedback – just observe, learn, and actually do some of the work. This will give you a good idea of what the job entails.

Hold Regular Team Meetings. As a leader, you spend a lot of time meeting with upper management and direct reports. But, it’s important to regularly take the pulse of your entire department or organization – from executives to the front lines. So establish a quarterly meeting where you can actually meet with employees who are not in upper management. Create a time where employees can get together to discuss work issues and ideas. Let them share their concerns along with thoughts on what’s working and what’s not. Taking time to listen and engage sends the right message – that you care about your people and everyone is a priority.

Going undercover at your workplace may not be an option for you, but there are ways you can discover more about your employees and get to know them on a more personal level. Taking the time to learn more about your staff can help you improve your company, whether it’s by increasing employee engagement, implementing new procedures, or creating new career development tools.

Comments

[air jordans]

We know that slow and steady win the race and we should pursue constantly for that.

[Supra TK Society]

I found over the years that many times I would call on a customer just to say hello and would ask if their is something I could help them with. There would always be something they were thinking of doing but just had not called me.

[fat burners]

Good tips. I may be using some of those.