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As a result of the last two years, one of the favorable aspects has put more emphasis on people in all aspects of life. From emergency rooms, classrooms and boardrooms to individual homes, shops, premises and workplaces, the health and well-being of people has been at the core of most decision-making activities.
The workplace is an area that has apparently undergone the most significant changes as more and more employers realize that people are their main asset, driving human resources to the forefront. However, in the face of “The Great Resignation,” a market for job seekers and more remote or hybrid job models, many leaders find themselves in unfamiliar territory as they strive to identify a formula that works to attract and retain the best talent.
Putting people first is a key ingredient to every successful endeavor and one that leaders should embrace to make a difference for their businesses as well as their employees. Smart leaders who maintain a people-centered philosophy adhere to three basic principles: genuine care, serving others, and employee experience.
Related: Putting People First: The Future of Human Resources in “The New Normal”
Show genuine care
When leaders show genuine care for employees and treat them as human beings rather than numbers, it lays the groundwork for building trust, loyalty, and respect for employees. Employees who feel valued and respected are more satisfied, highly engaged, and make a discretionary effort, leading to individual and team success. In addition, leaders who care about their employees are perceived as more accessible, making it easier to build strong bonds and long-term relationships that facilitate business growth.
While there are many components to mindfulness, an important element is empathy, which allows leaders to put themselves in the shoes of others to better understand their situations. When leaders listen to employees and learn about their concerns, they are better positioned to help develop ways to meet their needs to optimize the work environment for all. This is especially critical, as many workers continue to juggle their work and personal lives, leading to high levels of employee exhaustion and turnover, which could be alleviated with more empathy.
Some ways in which leaders show genuine care for employees include active listening, allowing frequent two-way communication, being engaged, showing gratitude, asking for workers’ opinions, being interested in their careers, having their backs of employees and treat the team as family members. Leaders who demonstrate genuine care and compassion in the workplace are driving corporate culture and setting the stage for company-wide behaviors.
Related: Winning includes putting people first in your business. This is how you do it.
Practice serving others
Leaders who have the mindset to serve others by putting the needs of employees above their own are not only showing humility, but are empowering workers to grow and develop, leading to efficient, high-performing organizations. If leaders work alongside employees, rather than dictating from above, they are better prepared to guide them with the right tools and resources to help them succeed.
When leaders are not afraid to roll up their sleeves and get involved to help implement strategies or make sure projects stay on track, they show valuable belief and support to their employees, which increases team building. and improves employee performance. As leaders help employees reach their full potential, it unleashes the power that people can provide to an organization for sustained success. In addition, with many people re-evaluating their priorities and purposes in life, the practice of service to others aligns well at all levels to create more synergies within the work environment.
Some of the ways leaders serve their employees include conveying a “us” versus “I” mindset, sharing clear expectations and goals, removing obstacles in their path, providing training and coaching to address performance gaps. and ensure a good work environment. Actions speak louder than words, so when leaders put people first through server leadership, it sends a resounding message to current employees and potential contractors about their leadership style and culture. ‘company.
Related: The pandemic created the next generation of big entrepreneurs
Emphasizes employee experience
In order to put people first, the philosophy must be woven into the DNA of the company and emphasized throughout the employee experience. Leaders must ensure that all programs and processes are developed and implemented while keeping employees in the lead to facilitate a culture that cares for their people from hiring to retirement. Companies that offer employees a global encounter that affects their daily activities inside and outside of work, including professional, social, physical, emotional, and financial well-being, support a strong people-centered strategy that makes a difference.
In fact, millennials and Generation Z, who are fast becoming a significant majority in the workplace, are strong advocates for employee experience with professional development, well-being, and relevant technology occupying a job. featured in their lists. Leaders who take note of their desires and make changes to attract this important segment of the workforce will gain a competitive edge in the workplace while competing in the war for talent.
Some ways in which leaders can have an effective impact on the employee experience include the use of robust HR technology that covers numerous employee contact points, from hiring, hiring, and hiring to training, performance and professional advancement; empowering wellness programs with a holistic approach that covers all business operations from a health and wellness lens; promote professional development opportunities by providing an optimal combination of learning tools to grow leaders; and develop employee recognition programs that make employees feel valued and valued.
Smart leaders with a people-centered philosophy show their commitment to meeting the needs of the workforce and encouraging them from within to grow tomorrow’s leaders for continued business success. When genuine attention, service to others, and employee experience are optimized in organizations, it can drastically change the dynamics of the workplace and have a positive impact on the future.