What Makes Employees Feel Valued? - An Exploration

When you feel valued in life, you feel happier, right? What about your employees? Do you treat them with appreciation and respect? Have you noticed that your employees aren’t as productive as they were a year ago?

When employees feel undervalued and underappreciated, their productivity levels drop and their desire to go the extra mile fades away. Worse, your most loyal employees start quitting you one by one. It’s not entirely about their paychecks, it’s about the way you treat them.

Here’s what makes employees feel valued and what can make professionals become a more integral part of your team – even with a small salary.

1. Start a Workday with Gratitude

Just because you’re a boss doesn’t mean you can come into work whenever you want. Actually, you can, but wouldn’t it be great if you start your workday with your team? Once you’re in the office, ensure to express your attitude of gratitude.

Tell your employees that you appreciate their efforts and you’re grateful for working with such an amazing team. Oftentimes, employers appear in the office angry and moody so employees are afraid to utter a word.

Don’t be like that. No matter your mood, begin your workday with gratitude.

2. Be Positive

Negativity breeds negativity. Most people have been growing a deep-seated grudge towards their bosses for years, until the day they quit.

When they leave their jobs, they feel a huge sense of relief rather than regret. Positive employers create a work environment where people want to work and they don’t check the clock every 5 minutes.

Moreover, people tend to be more productive in a positive environment. Say positive things and give sincere compliments.

3. Encourage Your Employees During Hardships

If someone in your team has difficulty completing a task or a project, try to encourage and help them. It’s tempting to yell and prove that they should know it all and remind them that you pay them for their work.

Your employees are human beings and they’re just not able to know everything at once.

When a problem appears, ensure you encourage your employee to solve this problem. If you can help them, do it. The next time they won’t disturb you.

4. Don’t Point Out Mistakes in Front of the Team

Unless the entire team is guilty of a failed project or a missed deadline, avoid discussing your employee’s mistakes and failures in front of other team members. By humiliating others, you build a bad reputation as an employer.

Again, no one is perfect. Don’t be too rude. Discuss the mistakes in a calm way and try to find a solution to the problem together. This form of communication will make your employees feel appreciated and valued.

5. Be Honest

Be honest with your employees regarding your company’s success and don’t feel ashamed of talking about any problems your company has.

If your company keeps flourishing, explain to your employees why you can’t pay them more and you can decide together when the paycheck might increase. Consider your team as your office family.

Just like you solve family issues with your family members, you can solve any business problems with your team.

6. Don’t Forget About Your Remote Employees

If some of your employees are working from home, make sure they feel valued as well. A quick message “great job” or “have a great day” sent via Skype can make a huge difference in how they feel and work.

It’s important to let them know that they’re still a part of your office team and you truly appreciate it. Call them occasionally to find out how they feel about working on certain tasks and projects or invite them for a cup of coffee once in a while.

7. Support Them

Whether your team has been working on a complicated project for weeks or someone from the office faces serious family issues, show your support. If you can help them, help them.

If you can’t, then at least show how much you appreciate their efforts. You can order some pizza and drinks when your team stays late in the office, or give a day off once the project is successfully finished.

8. Have a Happy Hour

Almost each company has a happy hour, but in most, employees pay for their food and drinks themselves. If you can afford it, hold a happy hour each week or every other week. Treat them to some free food and drinks and come up with some entertainment.

From board games to table tennis, there are multiple ways to let your employees relax. They’ll definitely appreciate it.

9. Remember Special Dates

Even those who claim that they don’t celebrate their birthdays will feel amazing when you congratulate them. Buy some cake and flowers and make their day brighter. There are companies who provide a day off to people who have birthdays, too.

The next special date to remember is the time your employees have been working for you. Whether it’s been a year or five years, ensure you remember that date. This will instantly make your employees feel valued.

10. Help Your Employees Grow

There are tons of ways to help your employees grow and improve their skills. Encourage some employees to take part in conferences, send them on business trips, or pay for professional training courses.

Investing in your employees will show that you appreciate them and see them working with you in the future. If it’s too costly for you, you can encourage internal growth.

Host motivational meetings or ask each employee to prepare some useful information weekly and share it with colleagues. Personal and professional growth is critically important for your company’s success.

There are many things that make employees feel valued and appreciated. Remember, any professional can quit their job any day, even if you offer the highest salary in the city.

Since we spend most of our time at work, we tend to choose the work environment over the amount of money employers offer. Happy employees tend to feel happier and work more efficiently while unhappy employees can gradually destroy your company without letting you know.