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Get-to-Know-Your-Employees-on-a-Personal-Level

Get to Know Your Employees on a Personal Level

Get-to-Know-Your-Employees-on-a-Personal-LevelFirst, the bad news: two-thirds of employees believe management does not care about them on a personal level. Now, the good news: Companies can address this problem immediately. All it takes is a willingness to share stories and experiences within reason, a dash of creativity, and a passion for connecting with people. 

If your organization has this void, you can address it through practicing internal communication and team building. With continued investment, your management team can get to know your employees on a personal level. Let’s dive deeper into why this matters.

How Does Team Building Affect Companies? 

As a manager, it’s not enough to be a great team leader. Employees that believe their companies do not care about their personal lives are more likely to feel unappreciated, suffer from a dip in productivity or worse – leave the job. Millennials are even more likely to switch companies.

People often just want to know someone cares about what they have to say.

Think about it. Americans spend a significant amount of time at work, away from their families and personal interests. Imagine spending that much time around a co-worker who does not realize you worry every day about returning home in time to take your Boston Terrier out for a walk (before he has an “accident”). 

Related Article: How to Get Your Team to Work Toward the Same Goal

What Are Some Activities That Can Help Companies Get to Know Employees On a Personal Level?

  • Host monthly team events (onsite or offsite) in the morning, at lunchtime or after work. Poll several staffers to decide if coffee, California rolls or cocktails are the best fit.
  • Create pet-themed office parties or invite team members to bring their kids to the office. Start a book club or monthly matinee movie club. 
  • Upgrade the watercooler in favor of a café or better yet, a wine bar, a new trend at some U.S. companies.
  • Identify volunteer opportunities where employees not only get to know each other but their families.
  • Unsure where to start? Start a hobbies survey and plan events around responses.

Address Perceptions to Alter Realities For the Better

In some cases, employees may misread the sentiment of supervisors, middle management, executives, and owners that do care about the well-being of employees outside of their work responsibilities. Employee perceptions, when not addressed, can morph into negative realities. 

Discover our Full List of Ways to Create and Nurture Leaders

Interested in preparing key employees for future leadership roles? We highly recommend Dale Carnegie of Orange County training. Getting to know employees on a personal level is 1 of 13 ways to transform key employees into leaders. Learn more here

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