There’s no denying that out of all of the resources that you have at your disposal as a business owner; few are more important than your employees. In fact, to refer to your employees (I prefer to call mine team members) simply as “a resource” does them a severe disservice. Without your team members, your business simply wouldn’t be able to function properly. They’re the ones responsible for taking your vision and turning it into a reality. Of course, that’s only the case if they are willing to give you they’re all. The question is, how can you make it, so they actually want to do that? With that in mind, here are some basic things that you can do to earn the respect and loyalty and of course the support of your team.

Make work fun

Some managers are under the assumption that unless their team members are working around the clock, 100% engaged in tasks, that someone in the group is slacking. The truth is that’s not the case. The reality is that it’s entirely possible to create a pleasant working environment that everyone can enjoy while still keeping being productive. Often it’s the little things, like encouraging impromptu celebrations of accomplished goals, and acknowledgment of people’s birthdays. For those who celebrate holidays, encourage decorations in their workspace and consider something fun like allowing them to arrive at work in their Halloween costumes if they’d like. There’s nothing wrong with you and your employees letting your hair down from time to time, as long as you nor they lose sight of the fact that you’re in a place of business.

Reward great work

You might assume that a paycheck at the end of the month is all your employees need to stay motivated, but that’s not the case. The truth is that people often need more than that to really feel appreciated in the workplace. Make sure that you do what you can to reward great work and to let your employees know just how valued the work that they put in really is to the company. Otherwise, they could end up feeling resentful of you and your business for taking their time and hard work without properly appreciating it.

Learn to listen

One of the most common mistakes that a business owner can make is to assume that they have nothing to learn from their employees. The reality is that your dedicated employees often have a perspective on your business that you wouldn’t even imagine. They’re down in the trenches, up close and personal with the kinds of things that your business has to deal with every single day. You might be able to see the big picture, but getting feedback from your employees on the nuts and bolts of your business’s everyday activities can be incredibly valuable and something that you ignore at your own peril.

One thing that you should always remember is that you’re not there to be your employee’s friend. You are still their boss and their employer, and that means there need to be clear lines between you. Sure, you can be friendly with them, but it’s your job to support them, especially those who may need a little extra, and to get quality output from them. You can’t do that if you’re constantly worrying about whether or not they really like you. Being liked is nice, but as a leader, the ability to earn the respect and loyalty of your employees is what matters more. Be the example and always be conscious of the future leaders that you are developing.

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