Tips for Empowering Employees

This quote got me thinking. Early in my career, I struggled with how people showed up. I was often called too intense, I was often perceived as overwhelming, but the truth of it is I SHOWED UP! I was engaged, I was committed, and I wanted to make an impact. Not knowing why there was such a difference between how I showed up and others, I learned … that ONLY 31% of employees are enthusiastic and energized by their work? Imagine that almost 70% of the people in your team are there because they just have to 🫣 I honestly can't imagine that, which is why I implemented some solutions in my teams, most of it worked, some of it I’m still testing & trying … Here are some things I did: 👉 Trust & Empower: I involve my team in decision-making processes and push decisions to them when possible. This fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility. 👉 Celebrate Feedback: I create an environment where feedback is frequent and constructive. It encourages continuous learning and growth. 👉 Connect 'Why' to Vision: I share a compelling vision to motivate team members and clearly explain why their contributions matter. 👉 Offer Development: I signal my commitment to personal growth with training and development opportunities. It sparks motivation and increases loyalty. 👉 Recognize & Praise: I acknowledge achievements and make saying ‘thank you’ my default. A little recognition goes a long way to boost morale and motivation. 👉 Promote Diversity: I embrace diverse perspectives and backgrounds to enrich the work environment, prompt healthy debate, and drive innovation. 👉 Encourage Collaboration: I encourage teamwork on projects. This builds a sense of community and belonging while also accelerating learning 👉 Challenge Comfort Zones: I push and encourage team members to expand their skills and what they think is possible. It promotes growth and enthusiasm. 👉 Cultivate Inclusivity: I ensure all voices are heard. For example, I make sure extroverts don't steal the show and create the space needed for quieter team members to speak. Be the leader that serves, empowers and inspires. And all will go just fine 🙌 #EmployeeEngagement #TeamMotivation #WorkCulture

The greatest leaders don’t control, they empower. 5 ways to empower your team effectively: — 1. Delegate decision making Letting employees own their actions is a superpower for: - Building trust - Growing confidence - Developing decision-making skills Vulnerable share: I HATED and felt ashamed when I was being a micromanager and didn’t empower the team. I felt insecure about the team being able to perform at the level we needed to scale and avoid burnout. Big mistake, big lesson learned the hard way. Give authority to your team members on projects or tasks they have expertise in. The more they get to decide → the better they’ll perform. — 2. Recognize and reward initiative Public acknowledgment in meetings and tangible rewards motivate employees. Create recognition programs that reward taking initiative, problem-solving, and innovation. We used Bonus(dot)ly (amazing tool, a must in my view), to help teammates recognize each other based on our core values. Awesome feature with tokens that you accumulate for rewards! Everyone needs to know their extra efforts aren’t going unseen. — 3. Invest in professional development Your team doesn’t want to do any more frickin LinkedIn learning courses. They invest more effort when they know you actually care about their growth. If I could go back in time, I would hire WAY more coaches/consultants for each area of the company that we wanted to master. Why on Earth did I try to solve so many things on my own, with SO many experts out there? — 4. Foster a culture of feedback: Tension is low when feedback flows freely in a company. This is something that I don’t regret. We were extremely open and yet candid with constant feedback. Anyone could challenge anyone (even the guy/girl from CS to the CEO), if it was done with solid facts and respect. We all acted as equal share-holders. The best feedback follows a simple structure: - Regular not random - Focuses on behavior, not personality - Future facing, not dwelling on the past And always aligned with the companies best interest and mission. — 5. Establish clear goals Empowerment doesn’t mean a free-for-all. Most of the times we felt that the team wasn’t internally aligned, was when the incentives and goals weren’t clear nor aligned between areas of the company, and the company’s long term. Let team members operate autonomously with: - Clear goals - Defined boundaries - Achievable milestones Most people “know” about the SMART goals concept, and yet when we analyze their goals, I usually see undefined or difficult to measure goals. Don’t overlook Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound goals. This allows for autonomy while still being aligned with company objectives. — If you’re ready to empower your people through your leadership…. Apply these 5 steps immediately. Your team members will thank you. — Repost ♻️ to your network to share, and follow Ignacio Carcavallo for more like this.

Only 31% of employees are enthusiastic about their work. As a middle manager, you play a pivotal role in boosting your team's engagement and enthusiasm. Here's how you can inspire and empower your team: 🌟 Trust & Empower: Involve your team in decision-making processes whenever possible. This fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility, motivating them to take initiative. 🌟 Celebrate Feedback: Encourage a culture of frequent and constructive feedback. It promotes continuous learning and growth, essential for your team's development. 🌟 Connect 'Why' to Vision: Share the company's vision and explain how your team's contributions matter. This sense of purpose can be a powerful motivator. 🌟 Offer Development: Advocate for training and development opportunities for your team. It signals your commitment to their growth and increases their loyalty. 🌟 Recognize & Praise: Acknowledge achievements, both big and small. A simple 'thank you' can go a long way in boosting morale and motivation. 🌟 Promote Diversity: Embrace diverse perspectives within your team. It enriches the work environment, prompts healthy debate, and drives innovation. 🌟 Encourage Collaboration: Foster teamwork on projects. It builds a sense of community and belonging while accelerating learning. 🌟 Challenge Comfort Zones: Push your team members to expand their skills and explore what they think is possible. It promotes growth and enthusiasm. 🌟 Cultivate Inclusivity: Ensure all voices are heard during discussions and meetings. Create space for quieter team members to speak up. Be the leader who serves, empowers, and inspires. And watch your team's engagement skyrocket!

This got me thinking. Only 31% of employees are enthusiastic about and energized by their work. "Involving" your people will not only help them learn, but also skyrocket their enthusiasm and energy. Here's my playbook for doing it: 👉🏻Trust & Empower: Involve your team in decision-making processes and push decisions to them when possible. This will foster a sense of ownership and responsibility. 👉🏻Celebrate Feedback: Create an environment where feedback is frequent and constructive. It encourages continuous learning and growth. 👉🏻Connect 'Why' to Vision: Sharing a compelling vision to motivate team members and clearly explain why their contributions matter. 👉🏻Offer Development: Signal your commitment to personal growth with training and development opportunities. It sparks motivation and increases loyalty. 👉🏻Recognize & Praise: Acknowledge achievements and make saying 'thank you' your default. A little recognition goes a long way to boost morale and motivation. 👉🏻Promote Diversity: Embrace diverse perspectives and backgrounds to enrich the work environment, prompt healthy debate, and drive innovation. 👉🏻Encourage Collaboration: Encourage teamwork on projects. This builds a sense of community and belonging while also accelerating learning. 👉🏻Challenge Comfort Zones: Push and encourage team members to expand their skills and what they think is possible. It promotes growth and enthusiasm. 👉🏻Cultivate Inclusivity: Ensure all voices are heard. For example, make sure extroverts don't steal the show and create the space needed for quieter team members to speak. Be the leader that serves, empowers and inspires. And you'll skyrocket the engagement of your team! --- ♻️Find this valuable? Share it with your network. Follow me, Shagun Agarwal, for more insightful content.

Things You Can Do To Keep Good Employees The problem of "quiet quitting" can be wiped out with a few simple things leaders and managers can do immediately. If you want employees to invest in their work and achieve more for your company, you must do more than give them a good paycheck. Learn what makes people tick. 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐚𝐲: 1/ 𝐆𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐌𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞 People want purpose and meaning from their work. They want to know how what they do contributes to the mission of the team and company. MANAGEMENT ACTION: Explain how their work contributes to the team's objective and the people/customers they serve. 2/ 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐌𝐞 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝. People want to feel significant. MANAGEMENT ACTION: Explain how what the person does is unique and how it aligns to #1 above. 3/ 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐞. A "safe space" is nice and is the threshold. But launch me. Give me the ability to get things done. MANAGEMENT ACTION: Empower people by giving them the resources and the trust to accomplish things. 4/ 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞 𝐌𝐞. Ask me what I think about an assignment or task instead of just throwing it over to me via an email and hoping I never call you. MANAGEMENT ACTION: Engage people. Ask them how they would go about completing the task. Explain how this task ties into the team's mission. 5/ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐌𝐞/𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐞/𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐞. Give me assignments that stretch me. Look for ways to help me grow. ACTION: Ask each person what they want to do and become. Assign them tasks aligned with those desires. Engage people in regular training. Companies that have deployed The Leadership Academy teach people those critical soft skills that improve work interactions and empower people to produce results, which produce significant improvements in employee engagement scores. Each 90-minute Zoom session has a different topic tailored to each employer where we discuss how to be an excellent manager and employee, how to run meetings effectively, manage time and prioritize work, and leadership and teamwork ideas. Here is what employees say in the anonymous surveys after each session of The Leadership Academy: - I am energized - I feel empowered - I feel more confident - I realize now that I was drifting - I see where I can make a contribution - I can now ask my manager what she needs - I can now engage my employees in a professional manner This is what drives employee engagement and creates high-performance teams. 📣 cool to repost 🔔 follow me only if you want ideas that work (no BS, no theory, only actual experience) ______________________ #employeeengagement #highperformanceteams #CHROs #TheLeadershipAcademy

Do You Make Your Team Feel Safe in Their Workplace Environment? In today's workplace landscape, effective leadership is more crucial than ever. Introducing the S.A.F.E.T.Y. Model – a framework designed to ensure leadership meets the diverse needs of our people, fostering an environment of trust and growth. Let's break it down: S - Security: Providing a secure work environment is paramount. Ensure physical safety measures, cybersecurity protocols, and a culture of inclusivity that empowers everyone to voice concerns. A - Autonomy: Empower your team members to make decisions and take ownership of their work. Foster an environment where they feel trusted and valued for their contributions. F - Fairness: Promote equity and transparency in all aspects of leadership. Fair treatment, unbiased decision-making, and clear communication are key components. E - Esteem: Recognize and appreciate the unique strengths and talents of each team member. Encourage a culture of mutual respect and appreciation. T - Trust: Trust is the cornerstone of any successful team. Build trust through open communication, consistent actions, and genuine care for your team's well-being. Y - You: As a leader, you set the tone. Lead by example, embodying the principles of the S.A.F.E.T.Y. Model in your actions and decisions. Practical Tips: Active Listening: Take the time to listen to your team members. Actively engage in conversations, ask for feedback, and address concerns promptly. This fosters an environment of open communication and shows that their voices are valued. Training and Development: Invest in the growth of your team. Provide opportunities for skill-building, mentorship, and career advancement. When individuals feel supported in their professional development, they are more likely to feel secure and valued. Research Reference: (Johnson, S. E. (2009). The impact of workplace empowerment, organizational trust on staff nurses' work satisfaction and organizational commitment. Health Care Management Review, 34(4), 352-360.) Hashtags: #LeadershipModel #WorkplaceSafety #TeamEmpowerment #EffectiveLeadership #Lead How are you incorporating these principles into your leadership style? Share your insights below! 🌟

Retaining top-performing employees is crucial for long-term success in any organization. While factors like work-life balance and a positive work environment are important, there are other strategies that can be implemented to ensure employee satisfaction and commitment. Every person on your team might have a different motivator so implementing all or several of the strategies below will increase your chances of employee retention: 1. Invest in Career Pathing and Growth Opportunities: Provide a clear roadmap for advancement within the company. Offer opportunities for continuous learning, upskilling, and professional development. This allows employees to envision a promising future with the organization. 2. Recognize and Reward Excellence: It is important to regularly acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of top performers. Include things like work anniversaries, personal achievements, and milestones. This can be done through personalized shout-outs, rewards, or bonuses. Recognizing their hard work shows that their efforts are valued and appreciated. 3. Foster Empowerment and Autonomy: Give employees the freedom to take ownership of their projects and decisions. Empowering them fosters a sense of responsibility and pride in their work, increasing their commitment to the organization. 4. Maintain Open Channels of Communication: Encourage open dialogue and feedback. Employees should feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and opinions, as their contributions can shape the company's success. This also helps in identifying areas for improvement. 5. Implement Mentorship and Leadership Programs: Establish mentorship initiatives to facilitate knowledge transfer and skill development. Such programs create strong bonds and a sense of belonging within the organization. 6. Provide Challenging Projects and Responsibilities: Assign projects that align with employees' strengths and aspirations. Engaging and challenging work keeps them motivated and less likely to seek opportunities elsewhere. 7. Offer Competitive Compensation and Benefits: Stay updated with market standards and provide competitive compensation packages. Additionally, comprehensive benefits beyond salary, such as healthcare or retirement plans, are crucial for attracting and retaining top talent. 8. Focus on Continuous Feedback and Improvement: Regularly assess and improve employee retention strategies based on feedback and data. Adapt and evolve to meet changing expectations, ensuring that employees feel heard and valued. Remember, your employees are an investment, and it is essential to prioritize their satisfaction and growth within the company. By creating an environment that nurtures top talent, you not only retain valuable team members but also save on job ad and recruiting costs in the long run. #EmployeeRetention #InsuranceIndustry #LongTermSuccess #TopPerformers #EmployeeEmpowerment