Tag: Approachable Manager

Saying yes too much could be hurting you

Saying yes too much could be hurting you

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when we think of ice cream? 🍨

Let me guess.

  1. The good taste, obviously
  2. The pleasant after-taste
  3. Everyone’s happiness

What are the first three things on your mind if you think of a manager? Probably a person standing in a suit, leading a meeting, and instructing others. The number of matches in these features stands at 0. So, why do we act like we can crank it up to 11? 💯

People-pleasing is all too common

A YouGov poll showed that 49% of people surveyed identified themselves as “people-pleasers,” taking on a self-imposed quest to make everyone happy, even at personal costs. This behavior is even more present in women due to prevalent social constructs.

We often inadvertently fall into some familiar people-pleasing #behaviors while trying to be the managers of our dreams. Are you one such person? Let’s see –

  • I usually don’t #delegate because my team is already doing so much.
  • I accept all proposals and ideas because I want to show I value them.
  • I don’t offer negative feedback because I don’t want to hurt others.
  • I keep the responsibility concentrated in my hands, especially when things go wrong.
  • I am ready to do pretty much everything to avoid conflict and #confrontation.

Not saying no hurts you!

But ensuring comfort does not mean a perpetual yes, and aiding growth does not stand for never being critical. There’s a thin line in there, and standing on either side of it can translate into a massive difference in the impact you can make as a manager.

Consistent people-pleasing behavior does not only hurt your perception. There’s much more to it. While a manager’s credibility is lost, the people lose trust, and slowly, resentment builds up. The feeling of anxiety every time someone is about to be unhappy wrecks up your nervous system. Eventually, the vacuum left by a leader can become the team’s first step toward collapse.

Saying no and standing your ground at the right time can save you. How do I do it? Ask Merlin for free now. 🤖

How To Set Boundaries At Work? Guide For Managers?

How To Set Boundaries At Work? Guide For Managers

Have you ever found yourself answering mail late at night or bent over the desk long after work hours are over? If yes, there is a good chance that you have overextended or even crossed boundaries between your personal and professional lives. As the world adjusted to a global pandemic, employees’ need for better boundary management became even more apparent: the work hours often spilled into non-work ones.  Research suggests this creates a role between our work and at home, leading to higher stress and emotional turmoil. One way to break this rut is to set boundaries at work. Boundaries mean clearly defining what is acceptable and what is not regarding work expectations, communication, and personal time.  In this blog, we will discuss the impact of undefined boundaries on productivity and well-being, the need for boundaries at work, and how to recognize signs of poor boundary management. We will also provide examples of common workplace boundary challenges and strategies for preparing to set boundaries at work effectively. Finally, we will guide you through a step-by-step process for establishing boundaries, explore different types of boundaries at work managers should consider, and offer tips for maintaining boundaries without alienating your team members. So, let’s begin our journey to creating a healthier work environment!
Table of Contents

What do boundaries in workplaces look like?

Picture this: There’s a manager, let’s call her Sarah, who loves protecting her and her team’s peace. She has defined a few things before starting work: she loves spending time with her family and not answering calls during it. Conversely, she avoids contacting her team outside specific hours.  Similarly, while taking up tasks from her seniors, she considers the bandwidth of her team and takes up only a realistically achievable amount of work. It doesn’t mean not striving for greatness, but it saves her from micromanaging her team to the edge of burnout. Do you see what key idea is at play here? Boundaries. Boundaries at work refer to the limits or guidelines that you can establish to protect your physical, emotional, and mental well-being while maintaining professionalism and productivity in the workplace. These boundaries help employees maintain a healthy work-life balance, manage expectations, and navigate interpersonal situations effectively.  Boundaries at work can be about multiple areas, you might declare your personal chat box unreachable for professional matters, or you can set forth that you will not respond to work emails outside hours. In all the forms, boundaries are a tool to obtain manager effectiveness when they are used well. 

What types of boundaries should managers consider?

As a manager, it is important to consider different types of boundaries to promote a healthy and productive work environment. Here are a few examples of boundaries at work you should consider:
Professional Boundaries
  • Not discussing situations and issues that involve private and confidential matters
  • Not participating in a decision where you have a personal stake
  • Upholding the ethical standards and values set forth by your organization
  • Taking up a realistic task load
Emotional and Mental Health Boundaries
  • Prioritize personal care by setting aside time for hobbies and self-care activities
  • Demonstrate support and empathy for employee’s situations without getting overtly involved or emotionally attached
  • Support employees’ mental health by empowering them to advocate for their own needs and boundaries
Personal and Physical Boundaries
  • Respecting personal space, such as preferring handshakes over hugs
  • Keeping interactions strictly professional by avoiding inappropriate contact
  • Staying balanced in relationships by avoiding personal friendships and relations that can lead to conflict of interest

What if I do not have boundaries at work?

Does this seem excessive and unnecessary? Let’s see what happens when we do not set boundaries with the help of another manager. Let’s call him John.  John is a team manager who wants to get things done and often forgets there are limits. Hence, when you meet John after work, he’s still thinking of work, probably with a task list open on his mobile device, while simultaneously texting his team for updates. The next morning begins with similar abruptness for John because the team is ready with questions about their last night’s work. Tired and frustrated, John becomes quite aggressive in his responses and leaves the employees even more confused and clueless about the way ahead.

Signs you don’t have boundaries in the workplace

In John’s case, we notice several signs of missing boundaries at work: 
  • Resentment toward work or team members that’s always chasing you
  • Regularly being at work even after the hours are over 
  • Overstepping in emotional areas and unhealthy communication patterns 
  • Excessive anxiety about updates
  • Burnout, constant tiredness, and decreased performance 
The result is obvious from these lines.

What happens when you do not create workplace boundaries? 

First, as we see in the case of John, we are never off work. Even outside, it feels like we are near our work, and our identity and self-esteem become deeply tied to those neat checklists of our dreams. As a result, a person without workplace boundaries tends to overwork to the brink of exhaustion. Exhaustion brings together its own set of health and emotional issues for one to deal with. Second, not having boundaries in place as a manager creates several second-order challenges. As we see in John’s story, his team starts emulating his behavior. The unhealthy patterns of overworking, excessively sharing updates, and constant check-ins trickle down to the entire team. John’s aggressive remarks further add to the mess by setting up an example of unhealthy coping mechanisms and badly dealing with vulnerability. Third, there are many social and emotional ramifications to handle that do not directly concern work. For instance, a person without boundaries for their availability at work is not able to connect and engage with their friends and family fully. Their role of an employee consistently overpowers any other, throwing work-life balance out for a toss. 

Is there a bad way to set boundaries at work?

Of course! As with everything else, boundaries can be a tool to take a team downhill when they are not set properly. This is especially a concern for managers because if you are sitting too far away from glass walls, your team might not be able to alarm you about the impending danger at all. Imagine you have set strict boundaries around your availability and communication, stating you are only accessible during specific hours. However, this becomes an excuse to avoid responding to urgent requests or participating in important meetings, even when your presence is necessary for team collaboration or problem-solving. On the other hand, this can be a frustrating experience to bear from the side of a team member, too. For instance, what if a team member establishes clear task boundaries, stating they will only handle specific assignments within their job description? However, they consistently refuse to take on additional tasks or assist colleagues, citing their boundaries as a reason to avoid responsibility and workload. Similarly, many such concerns can arise around the misuse of boundaries at work by employees if they are not constructed and understood properly.
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A step-by-step guide to establishing boundaries at work

Establishing boundaries in the workplace requires a thoughtful and step-by-step approach. Here is how you can effectively set boundaries:

Preparing to set boundaries: What managers need at step 0

Before implementing boundaries in the workplace, managers need to take specific steps to ensure they are prepared. Here are a few key things managers need to consider:
  • Self-assessment: First, managers should reflect on their own boundaries at work and identify areas where they may need to set or reinforce boundaries. Self-awareness is crucial in effectively communicating and implementing boundaries. Reflection questions and feedback from your team and peers can be helpful in identifying the areas that you do not wish to negotiate.
  • Communication strategies: Managers should develop effective communication strategies to clearly communicate boundaries to their team members. This involves setting expectations, providing examples, and engaging in open and transparent discussions about what boundaries are and how they can help. While taking up this step, take charge and set an example for your team to enable their healthy boundaries at work, too. Focus on setting expectations correctly and effectively, sharing how boundaries and accountability should be balanced.

Step 1: Define Your Boundaries Clearly

The first step in establishing boundaries at work is to define them clearly. Take the time to reflect on your personal limits and priorities. Consider what is important to you in terms of work-life balance and well-being. This will help you identify specific areas where you need to set boundaries. For example, you may decide to set boundaries around your work hours by clearly defining the times when you will be fully dedicated to work and the times when you will prioritize your personal time. This may involve setting specific start and end times for your workday or designating certain days as personal time, like this:

“I am available for work-related calls and messages from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Outside of these hours, please refrain from contacting me unless it’s an emergency. I will respond to non-urgent messages during my next working hours.”

Avoid being vague as follows:

“Feel free to contact me whenever you need assistance or have questions. I’m always available to help.”

By defining your boundaries clearly, you set the foundation for effectively communicating and implementing them in the workplace. This step is essential for creating a healthier work-life balance and protecting your well-being.

Step 2: Communicate Your Boundaries Effectively

Once you have defined your boundaries at work, the next step is to communicate them effectively to your team members and colleagues. Clear and direct communication is crucial to ensure that your boundaries are understood and respected. Start by communicating your boundaries to your direct reports or team members. Clearly express your expectations and provide specific examples to illustrate what is and isn’t acceptable in terms of work-related tasks, communication, and personal time. This helps create a shared understanding and sets the stage for a healthier work environment like in the message shared below.

“Team, I want to ensure we maintain a healthy work-life balance while also staying productive. From now on, let’s reserve non-urgent communication for our regular working hours, which are from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. If you have urgent matters outside of these hours, please feel free to reach out, but otherwise, let’s respect each other’s personal time. Does that sound good to everyone?”

Additionally, communicate your boundaries to your colleagues and other stakeholders. Clearly articulate your limits and expectations for communication, availability, and work-related demands. This helps establish a culture of respect and accountability around boundaries. On the other hand, badly communicated boundaries in the workplace sound like impositions, as we see here:

“Effective immediately, all non-urgent communication should be limited to working hours. Urgent matters can be addressed outside of these hours. Thanks.”

The direct and impersonal tone of the message provides little scope for communication and context to the others, thus moving away from the key idea of mutual respect and understanding while setting boundaries. Hence, remember to use assertive communication to express your needs and expectations as seen in the first example. Use “I” statements to clearly communicate your perspective and needs without assigning blame or becoming defensive. This approach fosters open and honest communication, which is essential for establishing effective boundaries.

Step 3: Implement and Enforce Boundaries

Implementing and enforcing boundaries at work is a critical step in establishing a healthier work environment. Once you have defined and communicated your boundaries, it’s important to consistently enforce them. Lead by example and set a personal example for your team members and colleagues. Demonstrate your commitment to your boundaries by consistently adhering to them. This sends a powerful message and encourages others to respect your boundaries, as we can see here:

“I appreciate your dedication, but I’ve noticed you’ve been reaching out after hours for non-urgent matters. As we discussed, let’s try to keep non-urgent communication within our working hours to respect everyone’s personal time. If it’s urgent, feel free to contact me anytime. Let’s work together to maintain a healthy balance.”

Be firm but respectful when addressing boundary violations. If someone encroaches upon your boundaries at work, assertively remind them of your expectations and express the impact their actions have on your well-being or productivity. But while you are at it. Ensure that your tone is not harsh or reprimanding someone. Think of things from their perspective too and help them understand yours instead of reacting like this:

“I’ve told you all repeatedly not to contact me outside of working hours for anything that’s not an emergency. Can’t you follow simple instructions? This behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”

Moreover, you can seek support from your supervisor or HR team if necessary. If you encounter persistent boundary violations or face challenges in enforcing your boundaries in the workplace, reach out to the appropriate channels for guidance and support. They can provide additional resources and assistance in addressing any issues that may arise. Remember that enforcing boundaries is a continuous process. Stay vigilant and consistently reinforce your boundaries to maintain a healthy work environment and protect your well-being.

Step 4: Handling Pushback and Disagreements

When setting boundaries at work, it is common to encounter pushback or disagreements. It’s important to handle these situations calmly and assertively to maintain the integrity of your boundaries and promote a respectful work environment. Anticipate and prepare for pushback or disagreements when setting boundaries. Be ready to explain the rationale behind your boundaries and how they contribute to your well-being and productivity. This can help others understand the importance of respecting your boundaries. For instance, if someone shares frustration at your communication boundaries at work, you can address it as follows:

“I understand your concerns, and I appreciate your feedback. Let’s discuss how we can adjust our communication practices to better support everyone’s needs. Perhaps we can explore setting aside dedicated times for more focused work and communication blocks for collaborative discussions. What do you think?”

Offer alternative solutions or compromises when appropriate. Flexibility and understanding can help address concerns and find a middle ground. However, it’s important to maintain the integrity of your boundaries and not compromise your well-being or values. When faced with pushback or disagreements, stay calm and assertive. Clearly and respectfully restate your boundaries, reminding others of your expectations and the impact their actions have on your well-being or productivity. Avoid becoming defensive or engaging in arguments as seen here:

“I’ve made my decision, and that’s final. It’s not up for discussion. Follow the rules or face the consequences.”

Remember that handling pushback and disagreements is part of the boundary-setting process. By addressing these challenges assertively and respectfully, you establish a culture of respect and accountability around boundaries in the workplace.

Step 5: Regularly Review and Adjust Boundaries

Regularly review your boundaries at work to assess their effectiveness and make any necessary adjustments. Consider factors such as your workload, personal commitments, and overall well-being when evaluating your boundaries. Be open to adjusting your boundaries as circumstances change. Workload fluctuations, personal obligations, and other factors may require you to modify your boundaries to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Flexibility is key in ensuring that your boundaries continue to serve you well. For instance, you can take up this discussion with your team like:

“I’ve noticed some challenges with our current communication boundaries, particularly with project collaboration. Let’s brainstorm together and see if there are any adjustments we can make to better support our workflow and productivity. Does anyone have any suggestions or concerns?”

This shows proactive leadership and values feedback from your team members and colleagues. Their input can provide great insights into the impact of your boundaries and help identify areas for improvement or adjustment. Transparency and communication are key factors in this review and adjustment, without these, the changes can very quickly turn into diktats like this:

“Effective immediately, we are adjusting our communication boundaries. All non-urgent communication will now be restricted to email only, and response times are expected to be within 24 hours. Thank you for your cooperation.”

Remember that boundaries are not set in stone. They should evolve as your needs and circumstances change. Regularly reviewing and adjusting your boundaries ensures that they remain relevant and supportive of your well-being and productivity.

How to set boundaries at work without distancing yourself?

A common concern among managers while setting boundaries would be that their team might end up being alone on the field. And this obviously happens when the boundaries are badly set and reinforced. If you see boundaries as dynamic tools to get things done and keep reviewing them, you can maintain the delicate balance between healthy relationships at work and workplace boundaries. Maintaining boundaries without alienating your team members is essential for creating a positive work environment. Here are a few strategies to achieve this:
  • Use positive reinforcement: Recognize and acknowledge when your team members respect and adhere to your boundaries. Provide positive feedback and reinforcement to encourage their continued respect for boundaries.
  • Lead by example: Maintain your boundaries and demonstrate the benefits of a healthy work-life balance. By setting a positive example, you inspire your team members to prioritize their well-being and establish their own boundaries.
  • Embrace leadership qualities: Be approachable and supportive as a leader. Encourage open communication and create a culture that values boundaries and well-being. By fostering a positive work environment, you can support your team members while maintaining healthy boundaries.

How can you encourage team members to set their own boundaries?

Encouraging members to set their own boundaries is essential for their personal growth and well-being. Here are some ways to support and empower your team in setting their boundaries: First, focus on creating a safe space where team members feel comfortable expressing their needs and boundaries without fear of judgment or retribution. You can start by taking a lead on the process through flexibility in work schedules, remote work options, and time off. This allows team members to align their work with their personal commitments and priorities. Second, clearly communicate the organization’s expectations regarding work-life balance and the importance of setting boundaries. Encourage team members to prioritize self-care and well-being while remaining the custodian of organizational values and goals. In this process, demonstrate the importance of setting boundaries by setting and respecting your own. Share your experiences and challenges with boundary-setting to inspire and motivate your team. Lastly, sometimes your team members might be conflicted while setting boundaries at work. Offer resources, training, and support to help team members develop the skills necessary to set and maintain boundaries effectively. This can include workshops, coaching, or access to mental health resources. Moreover, acknowledge and celebrate team members who successfully establish and maintain their boundaries. This recognition will encourage others to do the same. By encouraging team members to set their own boundaries, you empower them to prioritize their well-being and achieve a healthy work-life balance. Still confused about workplace boundaries? Have a chat with Risely’s AI coach, Merlin to get rid of all the doubts and questions in your mind. Merlin can help you in three ways: 
  1. Situational discussion: Talk about boundaries and throw all your questions in. What are boundaries? Why should you build them? Is your boundary a good one or a bad one? Let Merlin think about everything that’s confusing you.
  2. Skill development: The boundaries are set, but skills are keeping you stuck. Assess and improve yourself in critical areas like assertive communication and a growth mindset with Merlin.
  3. Role-plays: Is some team members’ potential reaction keeping you away from setting boundaries? Are you dealing with constant violations with no idea how to address them? Play it out with Merlin, who will become your partner and coach in getting such difficult conversations right.
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Conclusion

Setting boundaries at work is crucial for maintaining a healthy work-life balance and fostering a productive environment. By clearly defining and communicating your boundaries, you can prevent burnout, improve well-being, and enhance team dynamics. Remember to regularly review and adjust your boundaries as needed. Use positive reinforcement techniques and lead by example to encourage boundary respect. Navigating difficult conversations around boundaries requires assertive yet respectful communication. Building a supportive ecosystem where everyone’s boundaries are valued is key. Ultimately, prioritizing boundaries benefits both managers and their teams, leading to a more harmonious and efficient workplace.

Deeksha Sharma

Deeksha, with a solid educational background in human resources, bridges the gap between your goals and you with valuable insights and strategies within leadership development. Her unique perspectives, powered by voracious reading, lead to thoughtful pieces that tie conventional know-how and innovative approaches together to enable success for management professionals.

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How Culturro Developed Effective Performance Reviews – A Lookback

How Culturro Developed Effective Performance Reviews – A Lookback

Performance management – is often a dreaded phrase, and not without valid reasons to back that fear. We often conflate performance reviews with appraisals because that is how the world shaped things over the years. Yet, new waves of change are taking a different approach – demarking performance management, performance reviews, and appraisals as distinct but complementary areas. Culturro’s path toward the present scope and mode of performance management and reviews has also evolved. As we usher in another change, and quite a major one, to mark an essential milestone in the organization’s journey, let’s look back at everything that has shaped us so far. 
Table of Contents

Personal Experience with Performance Reviews 

My initial encounter with the so-called evil of performance reviews happened at my first job. The process and outcomes were underwhelming and unhelpful. But, it also proved to be a significant learning experience. Performance reviews at my organization were closely tied with appraisals and thus followed an annual cycle. When performance reviews are conducted once a year, we miss a lot. Neither the team member nor the manager can address the entire timespan effectively; a level of recency bias is bound to enter the conversation. But that’s not all the trouble. 

What was amiss?

Annual performance reviews that relied on metrics set by the organization became a unidirectional process, where the manager rated employee performance and added their remarks as deemed relevant. Quite a few essential elements were missing: 
  • Little actionable feedback was provided to aid improvement. I had mixed feelings and no idea where to proceed.
  • Even if feedback was added, it would be assessed one year later! The lack of regular checks and real-time support was disappointing.
  • The process missed some areas and covered some. Annual reviews mean multiple projects, skill sets, and activities – all of which can merit more time for assessment and development.

What was needed?

As I moved on from this team to another, and as things progressed. A few things became clear. First, performance reviews cannot merely be the basis of compensation. There’s more to it, especially for performance management. Tying up reviews and compensation together created awkward situations for the HR functions of organizations.  Second, performance reviews and discussions should go both ways. After all, what’s the point if I cannot ask questions and get support? Managers needed to redesign reviews as a holistic program focusing on performance management and improvement.  A recent McKinsey Global Survey revealed that many employees feel their organizations’ current systems and practices have no effect—or even a negative one—on company performance. The sentiment is, thus, echoed widely and needs action. 

Culturro’s Journey

Culturro started as a small team of fewer than five people, with some contributing across multiple domains and taking on varied roles. Performance management, thus, was heavily dependent on individual effort. Over time, the system indeed and unsurprisingly gave up owing to the inconsistency. Yet, this was where things began to take shape – with a realization that performance management matters for every team. 

Starting the Reviews Game

Over the next few years, performance reviews took a different avatar, focusing on one-on-one catch-ups between team managers and members. It was a monthly exercise where we discussed what was happening and how to improve it. We concentrate on mutual feedback and understanding things from all perspectives.  On top of this came annual performance appraisals through discussions over the year and highlights on the primary hits and misses. One thing was missing, though – the numbers. While one-on-ones went on with great consistency across the team, much of it was undocumented and informal. Thus, we missed a chunk of the matter from our discussions. And so, we went ahead and switched things up! 

Building Method into the Madness 

As the last quarter closed, we introduced performance reviews for the team. In our new approach, self-assessments and manager assessments of critical tasks and activities guide the review discussions. We ask questions about challenges, learnings, and development opportunities and create a structure that further guides our efforts to manage and improve performance. Moreover, the discussions are shaped as two-way conversations, where the team members also offer feedback and suggestions to their managers. 
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Learnings and the Way Forward for Effective Performance Reviews at Culturro

While constantly making changes and incorporating ideas to create a holistic performance management system, we have understood the need to overcome conventional beliefs. Performance management need not merely be a checklist exercise that causes dread in employees. Instead, it can be the most exciting part of someone’s growth and development. 

Utility of performance reviews 

What role do performance reviews play in your team? That’s a question worth pondering for every manager. Are they merely tracking how much additional compensation to pay or adding some value to your team’s performance and development? Reshaping performance reviews into discussions that focus on growth through mutual feedback is the key to getting things right in the new employment era – where individuals know what matters to them and value development opportunities highly before choosing a workplace. 

Holistic understanding of performance – the good, bad, and the ugly 

Feedback on performance need not be all good to motivate or encourage someone per se. Instead, it needs to be realistic and helpful. Picking the right scale to evaluate performance feedback is essential. If the rating is good vs bad, then crucial areas such as timeliness and helpfulness are missed.  It calls for managers to be open and authentic as well as supportive. While providing critical feedback can be daunting, recognizing its value in the longer run of things helps. Intelligent techniques like a sandwich feedback technique would help you as well. The key lies in presenting all sides of the picture – the good, the bad, and the ugly – and enabling improvement. 

Reviews and Appraisals – a match made in?

Well, we know what we think about this. It’s a match that often causes trouble, so why not separate the two? Building direct connections between performance and compensation leads to performance anxiety in team members. That’s not where the issue ends; such links have led to unhealthy working habits that harm in the long run, such as working overtime, overlooking quality checks to produce quantity, and employees overburdening themselves. All in all, it’s a recipe for a lack of psychological safety at work.  To beat this trouble, organizations can decouple compensation and performance. Instead, rely on set metrics, enable a match of expectations, and develop employees who are able as well as willing to go above and beyond. 

Getting the frequency right 

With Culturro, I understood that monthly cycles were a tad too short to focus on long-term objectives. Things like developing a skill or building a new product feature extend a month frequently. While we can check the progress, it’s too quick for a review. Annual or six-month cycles, on the other hand, are heavily prone to availability and recency biases. Thus, the sweet spot of performance reviews lies in a quarterly cadence. It gives enough time to work on crucial areas, allows for quick recall and real-time feedback, and ensures we are not glossing over critical areas.

Incorporating frameworks 

Conversations that build empathy with team members are great. Documented conversations that allow you to track and measure performance are even better. Goal-setting frameworks like SMART goals and OKRs are great ways to ensure this. SMART goals offer clarity. Picture this: 
  • We need to increase website traffic. Vs 
  • We aim to take website traffic from X to Y over the next quarter. 
Clear goals with relevant metrics to measure them are essential to effective performance reviews. OKRs add to it by ensuring accountability and ownership over several areas and tasks. Building such frameworks into the review process can simplify your journey. Moreover, as fairness is a critical factor in ensuring the effectiveness of performance reviews, using frameworks that help visualize the bigger picture, offer transparency, and set standards is essential.

Conclusion 

Performance management is one of the most crucial areas for managers and HR leaders. Yet, several opinions and debates take over this matter and leave organizations hapless. At the turn of a new age of employment, with the entry of the Gen-Z into the workforce in a post-pandemic world, recognizing the value that effective performance reviews can have is critical for success. The key to excelling lies in letting go of unhelpful conventions and instead creating a system that suits your needs. With more team structure and composition variety, it’s only the beginning of customized employee solutions in all areas. 

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Building Inclusive Workplaces: DEI Goals and How to Achieve Them

Building Inclusive Workplaces: DEI Goals and How to Achieve Them

According to a LinkedIn study, 76% of job seekers mentioned diversity as a critical factor in evaluating potential workplaces. Yet, we often wonder what DEI means beyond the slogans. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are crucial for organizations to create a healthy work environment that values every employee. However, setting DEI goals can be overwhelming for companies that have never done it.  In this blog post, we will help you understand the significance of DEI in the workplace and provide a step-by-step guide on creating effective DEI goals. We will also share some examples of DEI goals for 2023 and how you can achieve them. We will also highlight the skills managers need to foster an inclusive team environment. 
Table of Contents

Understanding DEI: An Overview

DEI goals drive meaningful change in the workplace by focusing on creating a fair and inclusive environment. These goals promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, essential for building a diverse and inclusive workforce. DEI initiatives help address unconscious bias and prejudice, fostering an environment where individuals are valued for their unique perspectives and experiences.  DEI goals make your DEI initiatives even more impactful with the help of metrics to track and identify the most relevant and beneficial ideas for your team. Setting clear DEI goals helps by: 
  • Marking a visible commitment to DEI that goes beyond words. Transparency in such initiatives is vital to ensuring employee satisfaction, which is critical as more and more people choose workplaces that align with their values and act on them. 
  • Helping track the impact of initiatives. Identifying the relevant metrics and tracking performance across those can help managers secure buy-in from senior management and demonstrate exemplary practices externally. 
  • Guiding and directing the right practices at team and individual levels. Sometimes, individual contributors may not know how to foster DEI in their teams. In other instances, they might feel unguided and need clarification about the impact of DEI policies. Clear goals and performance tracking provide a path to clarity.
By setting meaningful goals, organizations can actively work towards creating an inclusive culture that values and respects individuals regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. This approach benefits the employees and the organization as a whole. For example, the McDonald’s Canada board of directors set diversity goals to be achieved by October 2023, aiming to create a more diverse and inclusive organization.

Significance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity in the Workplace

  • A diverse workforce brings together individuals with different perspectives and experiences, enriching an organization’s collective knowledge and creativity. 
  • Equity ensures that all employees have equal opportunities for growth and advancement, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or other personal attributes. 
  • Inclusion fosters a sense of belonging and psychological safety, creating an environment where everyone feels valued and respected. 
These elements of diversity, equity, and inclusivity are lofty goals and essential components for building successful teams and organizations. In fact, research has shown that organizations prioritizing DEI goals are more likely to benefit in several ways from: 
  • Improved creative thinking and innovation 
  • Adopting a more inclusive perspective regarding consumers 
  • Higher employee satisfaction and a great employer brand that attracts talent 
  • Greater internal trust and sense of belongingness that makes employees stick – curtailing absenteeism and turnover 
Therefore, embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion is a great way to create a vibrant and inclusive work culture that sets organizations up for success. Read more: Why is Diversity Important in the Workplace? 7 Reasons to Note

The Process of Creating Effective DEI Goals 

Identifying Your DEI “Why”

Before getting started, it’s essential to return to where you started. Think of the core values your team always returns to when there’s a challenge. Or, revisit the personal values that guide you through managerial conundrums. Your purpose with DEI goals is to enable the expression of these values for your team through everyday acts. The power of empathy that you learned from your first manager can guide your approach to dealing with difficult employees. The vision of creating a diverse team that values talent can navigate your hiring. Similarly, your values can form the keystones of the objectives you want to achieve with DEI initiatives. Understanding the business case for DEI in your organization is crucial. Consider DEI initiatives’ potential benefits and impact, such as fostering a diverse workforce and meeting stakeholders’ needs. Reflect on your organization’s values, commitment to fairness, and the opportunity to create positive change through DEI. By identifying your DEI “why,” you lay the foundation for meaningful goals that align with your organization’s mission and values. 

Making Concrete DEI Goals

Setting specific and measurable diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) goals for your organization is essential to build an inclusive workplace. These goals should be aligned with your overall strategic objectives and reflect a commitment to diversity and representation. Incorporating terms like metrics and milestones can help ensure that your DEI goals are meaningful and measurable. When setting these goals, consider the representation of women, minorities, and underrepresented groups at all levels, including leadership positions. For instance, instead of “we will increase representation of women in leadership roles,” some better alternatives can be: 
  • Increase representation of women in leadership roles by X% in the next quarter. 
  • Enhance the presence of women in leadership roles up to X% in the next six months. 
Read more: Setting Smart Goals As A Team Manager (Examples & Tips)

Getting Leadership Buy-In for DEI Initiatives

The hard part of ensuring effective diversity policies is making them stick through hurdles from the managerial and financial sides. Ensuring buy-in and support from leadership is one such challenge. The key lies in communicating the benefits of such initiatives to relevant stakeholders on metrics they value, for instance, making a case for DEI by highlighting the better talent pool you attracted as a hiring manager. You can demonstrate how these initiatives positively impact employee engagement and retention by sharing success stories and case studies of organizations that have embraced DEI. Additionally, emphasizing the potential for innovation and improved decision-making through diversity can further strengthen your case. 

Forming a DEI Committee

Establishing a dedicated DEI committee within your organization to drive and oversee DEI efforts is essential. This committee should include representatives from different departments and levels to ensure a diverse perspective. Providing training and resources to the committee members will help them effectively contribute to your DEI goals. Empowering the committee by giving them the authority to make decisions and implement initiatives is crucial.  By forming a DEI committee, you can create a strong foundation for achieving meaningful diversity goals and building an inclusive and diverse workforce. This committee will play a crucial role in promoting a culture of inclusion and ensuring that DEI efforts are integrated into your organization’s operations.
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Employee Feedback: A Crucial Step in DEI Goal Setting

Employee feedback is crucial in setting and achieving meaningful DEI goals within an organization. Managers can create a safe and inclusive environment for open discussions by seeking employee input and feedback on DEI matters. Managers can do this through: 
  • Surveys: Conduct team-wide surveys to discover your employee’s understanding of DEI. It can help you create an accurate picture of where you stand currently and help visualize the ways ahead. Surveys can also help you understand DEI practices that resonate the most with your team.
  • Focus groups: Focus groups help generate more detailed insights on DEI initiatives – how would the team like to shape them up, what are their opinions and preferences, etc.? 
  • One-on-one meetings: One on one meetings can be beneficial in engaging team managers and leaders who will act as change-makers. They are the best ways to nurture ideas for specific teams and functions while providing space for frank discussions. 
Additionally, employee resource groups can serve as a valuable source of feedback, providing unique perspectives and experiences. It is essential for leaders to actively listen to employee concerns and suggestions, as this feedback will help shape DEI goals and initiatives moving forward. By involving employees in the goal-setting process, organizations can ensure that their diversity goals align with the needs and aspirations of their diverse workforce. This participation creates a sense of belongingness and ownership that induces natural action toward the DEI goals you will set. 

Creating a DEI Goal-Setting Framework

Developing a structured framework for setting and implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) goals is essential in building inclusive workplaces. One key aspect is defining key DEI performance indicators (KPIs). By incorporating the SMART goal principles into the DEI goal-setting process, organizations can ensure that their goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. Setting realistic and meaningful goals that promote inclusion and diversity within the workforce is essential. Regular review and tracking progress toward DEI goals are necessary to make adjustments and optimize efforts for a diverse and inclusive workplace. Essentially, the process of setting DEI goals should follow these steps: 
  • Assessment: Start by assessing the current state of DEI in your teams through surveys or other data collection methods. Meanwhile, learn about the industry-wide state of DEI as well. You can create DEI goals based on:
    • The benchmark standards are followed across the board. Remember that many organizations fail to embrace DEI, so it is a starting point at best for most industries.
    • The fundamental values that you want to see in action. 
    • The gaps you discovered regarding diversity, equity, and inclusivity across your teams. For instance, disproportionate representation, concentrated decision-making powers, and so on.
    • The ideas that matter to your employees. Focus on creating a comfortable workplace for all your employees.
  • Dialogue: Based on the first step, the DEI committee can set up broad goals and areas that need action for the entire organization. Communicating effectively with the stakeholders, including senior management and employees, is essential to ensure everyone understands and owns the exercise. 
  • Defining and Executing Goals: In the next step, the managers should communicate the DEI goals effectively across the board. Defining these initiatives’ various roles and responsibilities is essential at this point. Figure out what a manager needs to do, what a team member needs, and what general guidelines are for the entire team. Assign duties and actionable steps accordingly. Define performance metrics that you will track to assess the performance as well. Based on this, your team can spring into action. Throughout the process, ensure that the DEI committee or senior stakeholders are available to clear doubts and resolve possible queries. Moreover, there can also be some biased actions, conflicts, and disagreements! Be prepared to handle these difficult conversations swiftly.
  • Review, Feedback, and Revision: In the last step, managers must take over and track how well the mission went. Review your achievements on the metrics you had defined. For instance, a hiring manager can check about diversity in their talent pool – did it go up or down? Similarly, different departments can pool insights based on their specific areas. In totality, the DEI committee can generate a report listing the actions to achieve the DEI goals set for that period and mark each of them in terms of efficacy and success. Employees can pitch in to share their feedback and suggestions during this process. It allows for a comprehensive review and enables better practices for the next cycle.

DEI Goals for 2023: Examples and Inspiration

  • Microsoft: Software giant Microsoft has actively worked over the last decade to increase the representation of women in their teams, with women comprising above 30% of the total workforce now. 
  • Salesforce: Salesforce is known for its strong commitment to DEI. They have set goals to reach 50% gender equality in their workforce, increase underrepresented minority representation in leadership, and invest in programs to promote equality for all.
  • Meta: Meta has set specific DEI goals, including doubling the number of Black and Hispanic employees in the United States over the next five years. They also aim to increase diversity in leadership roles.
  • Starbucks: Starbucks has set DEI goals to increase diversity at all company levels, focusing on expanding opportunities for underrepresented groups, including racial and ethnic minorities.

Goal 1: Diverse Hiring and Representation

DEI goals related to hiring and representation can focus on enhancing the presence of underrepresented groups, such as women gender, and ethnic minorities, in the team. Further, it can include efforts to increase representation in specific areas, such as leadership and technical roles that men typically dominate. A few ways to do this include: 
  • Incorporate fair and unbiased hiring practices using tech and standardized methods. 
  • Prioritize talent and diverse candidates. 
  • Track progress by reporting on the diversity metrics for your organization across different levels and teams

Goal 2: Equity in Compensation and Advancement

Another typical issue of modern teams is unequal compensation structures rooted in biases and prejudices. Organizations can tackle this by creating fair and transparent pay structures for specific roles that do not differentiate between candidates. Creating parity across team members occupying similar positions and benchmarking with the industry is also essential. A few crucial steps in this include: 
  • Analyzing existing pay gaps in your team among the employees and concerning the industry 
  • Defining clear job roles and related fair pay rates 
  • Realign to overcome any deficits or gaps that specifically hinder underrepresented groups.

Goal 3: Inclusive Development Opportunities at Work 

Often, men are likely to take advantage of employee benefits and other development opportunities, while women and other groups stay silent. It highlights an important fact – development continues beyond creating opportunities. HR and L&D leaders must consciously ensure that the training and development initiatives are accessible and comfortable for all. It includes addressing systemic issues such as biases, microaggressions, and stereotypes that create invisible boundaries and reduce access to opportunities. Teams can do this by: 
  • Focusing on diversity training for their employees that highlights good behaviors 
  • Tracking participation rates to identify gaps and provide encouragement 
  • Listen to feedback and make changes accordingly. 

How to Achieve Your DEI Goals?

Monitoring, Evaluating, and Optimizing DEI Goals

Monitoring, evaluating, and optimizing DEI goals is essential to ensure the success of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Developing metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) is a great way to measure progress towards meaningful goals. Regularly evaluating and analyzing data allows organizations to identify areas of improvement and success. This can be done by gathering employee feedback through surveys and focus groups, which helps inform DEI initiatives. Based on the results of evaluations, strategies, and initiatives can be adjusted to drive positive change. Continuous optimization of DEI goals and design ensures that organizations stay aligned with their commitment to creating a diverse workforce and fostering an inclusive workplace culture.

Promoting Transparency in DEI Goal Progress

Promoting transparency in DEI goal progress is crucial for building inclusive workplaces. Communicating DEI goals and progress to all employees regularly ensures that everyone knows the organization’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusivity. Sharing metrics and data related to DEI initiatives fosters transparency and provides evidence of achieving meaningful goals. Utilizing dashboards or visual representations is a great way to provide easily accessible information on DEI progress, allowing employees to track the organization’s efforts. It is important to encourage open dialogue and employee feedback, creating a space for their voices to be heard and valued. Celebrating milestones and achievements in DEI goals inspires and motivates employees and reinforces the organization’s commitment to an inclusive and diverse workforce.

Going Beyond Words: Inclusive Work Practices 

To build inclusive workplaces, organizations must go beyond words and implement policies and practices supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion. A few areas where action can ensure adequate progress toward DEI goals include: 
Recruitment and Hiring:
  • Implement blind recruitment processes to reduce unconscious bias.
  • Establish partnerships with diverse talent pipelines and organizations.
  • Ensure various interview panels evaluate candidates fairly.
Employee Resource Groups (ERGs):
  • Create and support ERGs for various affinity groups within the organization.
  • Encourage ERGs to collaborate on DEI initiatives and share insights with leadership.
Mentorship and Sponsorship Programs:
  •    Develop mentorship and sponsorship programs to help underrepresented employees advance their careers.
  •    Provide training to mentors and sponsors to ensure effectiveness.
  •    Provide leadership training that emphasizes inclusivity, empathy, and cultural competence.
  •    Hold leaders accountable for promoting an inclusive culture within their teams.
Employee Surveys and Feedback Mechanisms:
  •     Conduct regular surveys to gauge employee perceptions of DEI efforts.
  •     Use feedback to identify areas for improvement and track progress over time.
Supplier Diversity:
  • Diversify the supplier base by working with businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, and other underrepresented groups.
  • Set supplier diversity spending goals and track progress.
Promotion of Inclusive Content and Marketing:
  •     Ensure that marketing materials, advertisements, and products reflect diversity.
  •     Promote inclusivity in messaging and imagery.
Policies and Procedures:
  •   Review and update HR policies to remove any biases or barriers.
  •    Ensure that grievance and reporting procedures are accessible and supportive.
  •    Hold senior leadership accountable for meeting DEI goals.
  •     – Publish regular reports on DEI metrics, progress, and initiatives.
  •     – Share both successes and challenges transparently with employees and stakeholders.

What Skills Do Managers Need to Enable DEI on Teams?

A deep understanding of DEI principles and best practices is essential for managers to enable diversity, equity, and inclusion in their teams. They should foster open and inclusive communication, advocate for diversity in team operations, address unconscious bias, and provide mentorship and support to underrepresented employees. The critical skills needed to achieve DEI goals as a manager are: 
  • Empathy: Empathy enables managers to understand a situation from multiple points of view. It is the key to understanding the issues faced by your team before you head on to solve them. Connecting on a personal level and providing support as needed allows managers to create a relationship with their team and lead initiatives from the basis of this trust.
  • Cultural and Social Intelligence: Cultural intelligence refers to the ability of a manager to understand and communicate effectively through different cultures and practices. It is an essential skill to navigate a multi-cultural and diverse workplace. On the other hand, social intelligence is the ability to handle different social situations, such as conflicts, collaborations across teams, etc.
  • Collaboration and Confrontation: Leading the DEI initiatives for any team calls for collaboration across various stakeholders who will actively achieve those goals. On the other hand, as the process moves forward, you may need to confront individuals displaying biases and prejudices and address those issues on behalf of your team. Maintaining a balance across these two skills through effective communication and active listening is essential for any manager.
  • Critical Thinking: The field of DEI is evolving and adapting to new realities every day, making it crucial for managers to identify the proper practices and make effective decisions. Critical thinking enables managers to evaluate situations across the board thoroughly – be it an interpersonal issue in the team or a legal consideration on diversity matters – without being impacted by biases. Constantly analyzing conditions and actions is essential to the success of DEI initiatives.
  • Coaching and Growth Mindset: Lastly, a manager needs to work closely with the underrepresented groups and enable their growth. Developing and sharing a growth mindset is the first step in creating a long-term vision. Further, managers need coaching ability to help team members overcome challenges that are holding them back.
Risely, the AI co-pilot for leadership development can help managers and team leaders develop these critical leadership skills and overcome common team management challenges. It takes you through an empowering journey to help you become the manager you have always wanted to be!  Take the first step with an assessment of your critical leadership skills today:  Leadership Skills Assessments

Conclusion

In conclusion, building inclusive workplaces and setting DEI goals is crucial for creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment. Such environments foster innovation, creativity, and employee engagement, improving productivity and business performance. Managers play a vital role in fostering an inclusive environment and need empathy, active listening, and cultural competence. Ultimately, embracing DEI goals can benefit organizations by attracting top talent, improving employee morale, and enhancing their reputation in the market.

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Managing Employee Benefits for Small Business: A Complete Guide

Managing Employee Benefits for Small Business: A Complete Guide

As a small business owner, you understand the importance of caring for your employees. One way to do that is by offering employee benefits. However, managing employee benefits can be overwhelming and costly. This blog post will provide a complete guide to managing employee benefits for small businesses. We will start with understanding employee benefits and their importance in small businesses. We will then dive into the different types of employee benefits that you can offer, from mandatory to voluntary options. Additionally, we will discuss some affordable alternatives for employee benefits and best practices for managing them effectively. Lastly, we will cover common pitfalls to avoid and how small businesses can balance cost and quality in providing employee benefits.
Table of Contents

Understanding Employee Benefits

Employee benefits refer to any compensation or extra value that an employer offers employees in addition to their regular salary or wages. These benefits are designed to enhance employees’ overall package and include health insurance, retirement plans, paid Time off, and other perks and incentives.  Employee benefits serve several purposes, including attracting and retaining top talent, promoting employee satisfaction and well-being, and providing financial security and stability for employees. The specific benefits offered can vary depending on the company and industry. Still, they are typically designed to support employees’ needs and priorities while aligning with the organization’s goals and values.

Importance of Employee Benefits in Small Businesses

Employee benefits are essential for small businesses as they help compete with larger companies for top talent. Benefits like health insurance contribute to employee well-being, reducing absenteeism. Moreover, these benefits foster a positive company culture and promote employee loyalty. By offering comprehensive employee benefits, small businesses can also use them as a marketing tool to attract customers and clients. It demonstrates that the company values its workforce and its long-term success. As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, providing employee benefits is crucial for small businesses looking to thrive in today’s competitive market. Managers should consider Sick leave and healthcare as critical aspects of employee benefits.

Different Types of Employee Benefits for Small Businesses

Factors to Consider in Employee Benefits for Small Businesses

  • Company Size: While some benefits programs are easier to manage across all team sizes due to their flexibility, others might need a larger team size and make it untenable to achieve for small businesses. 
  • Budget Constraints: Budget constraints can play a bigger role in employee benefits for small businesses than for larger organizations. Small business owners need to look for more cost-effective benefits options.
  • Team’s Values: Your team’s values can be a great starting point to identify the non-financial benefits that your team goes with. 
  • Employee Demographics: The needs and wants of your employees can also help you identify the right mix of benefits for your small business team. For instance, a primarily Gen Z workforce would love flexible work options.

Mandatory Employee Benefits

  • Social Security and Medicare: In many countries, employers must contribute to the Social Security and Medicare systems on behalf of their employees. These programs provide retirement and healthcare benefits to eligible individuals.
  • Unemployment Insurance: Employers often must pay into an unemployment insurance program to provide financial assistance to employees who lose their jobs through no fault.
  • Workers’ Compensation Insurance: This insurance is typically mandatory to cover medical expenses and lost wages for injured employees.
  • Minimum Wage and Overtime Pay: Small businesses must comply with minimum wage laws and regulations regarding overtime pay for eligible employees. Labor laws often mandate these rules.

Voluntary Employee Benefits

  • Health Insurance: While only sometimes mandatory for small businesses, offering health insurance coverage can be a robust recruitment and retention tool. It provides employees with access to medical care and can be partially funded by the employer.
  • Dental and Vision Insurance: These additional insurance options can be offered to employees as voluntary benefits to cover dental and vision care expenses.
  • Retirement Plans: Small businesses can offer retirement plans to help employees save for their retirement. These are often voluntary, but some employers may choose to match employee contributions.
  • Paid Time Off (PTO): While not mandatory in all countries, providing paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave can enhance employee satisfaction. Small businesses may offer these benefits voluntarily to attract and retain talent.
  • Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs): EAPs provide employees with counseling, support, and resources for managing personal and work-related issues. They are typically voluntary and can help with employee well-being.
  • Tuition Assistance and Professional Development: Small businesses may offer education and training benefits to help employees improve their skills and advance their careers.
  • Wellness Programs: Wellness programs can include gym memberships, health screenings, and wellness incentives to promote employee health and well-being. They are often voluntary and can lead to healthier, more engaged employees.
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Administering Employee Benefits: A Comprehensive Approach

Administering employee benefits in a small business involves several key steps:
  • Determine Benefit Offerings: Decide which benefits to offer, such as health insurance, retirement plans, or paid time off.
  • Research and Select Providers: Select appropriate benefit providers or programs that align with your budget and employee needs.
  • Communicate Benefits Package: Communicate the benefits package to employees, including coverage details and any contribution requirements. Employee feedback at this stage can also help you shape the program better.
  • Handle Enrollment and Paperwork: Manage the enrollment process, ensuring employees can access and use their benefits effectively.
  • Ongoing Management: Continuously manage benefits, update employee records, address changes or additions to the benefits package, and promptly respond to employee questions or concerns.
  • Consult with Specialists: Seek guidance from benefits specialists or HR professionals to ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations and to follow best practices in benefits administration.
Small business owners can save time and resources by outsourcing employee benefits administration. Understanding the costs associated with benefits administration is essential for effective budgeting. Streamlining benefits administration can be achieved through technology, like email and online platforms. Regularly reviewing and updating the benefits package is crucial to meet employees’ ever-changing needs. Small businesses can effectively manage their resources and enhance employee satisfaction by adopting a comprehensive approach to administering employee benefits.

Costs Associated with Employee Benefits Administration

Regarding employee benefits administration, the costs can vary depending on factors like the number of employees and the specific benefits chosen. Small businesses should carefully consider expenses such as insurance premiums and administrative fees. While outsourcing benefits administration may come with additional costs, it can provide valuable expertise and efficiency. Comparing different insurance policies and providers is crucial for minimizing costs while maximizing employee value. To ensure cost-effectiveness, small business owners should analyze the return on investment of their benefits package.

What are some affordable alternatives for employee benefits?

Health Savings Accounts

Health savings accounts (HSAs) are tax-advantaged accounts that allow employees to save for medical expenses. Contributions to HSAs are tax-deductible, and withdrawals for qualified medical expenses are tax-free. Employees can use HSA funds to pay for various medical expenses, including prescriptions and doctor visits. HSAs offer flexibility and portability, allowing employees to carry over unused funds yearly. 

Flexible Work Arrangements

Flexible work arrangements, such as remote work or flexible hours, can enhance work-life balance for employees. By implementing these policies, small businesses can increase employee satisfaction and productivity. Technology is crucial in facilitating effective communication and collaboration among remote employees. Moreover, the flexibility in scheduling allows enterprises to accommodate diverse employee needs, such as childcare or personal commitments. Additionally, flexible work arrangements can help small businesses attract and retain top talent in a competitive job market.

Best Practices for Managing Employee Benefits

  • Align Benefits with Business Goals: Ensure your benefits align with your company’s goals and values. Tailor your benefits package to attract and retain the talent your business needs.
  • Compliance with Laws and Regulations: Stay informed about local, state, and federal employment laws and regulations related to employee benefits. It includes requirements for health insurance, retirement plans, paid leave, and more.
  • Offer a Variety of Benefits: Provide a well-rounded benefits package that includes healthcare, retirement savings, paid time off, and additional perks that cater to your employees’ diverse needs.
  • Employee Education and Engagement: Conduct employee education sessions to explain benefits and answer questions. Encourage employees to take advantage of available benefits and wellness programs. 
  • Consider Voluntary Benefits: Explore voluntary benefit options (e.g., supplemental insurance wellness programs) that allow employees to customize their coverage while minimizing the cost to the company. Consider cost-sharing arrangements with employees, too.
  • Seek Employee Feedback: Encourage employees to provide feedback on their benefit experiences and preferences and use this input to make informed decisions about benefit offerings through employee benefits surveys.

Conclusion

In conclusion, managing employee benefits for small businesses is a crucial aspect of creating a positive work environment and attracting top talent. By understanding the importance of employee benefits and the different types available, you can develop a comprehensive approach to administering these benefits. It is essential to consider the costs associated with employee benefits administration and explore affordable alternatives such as health savings accounts and flexible work arrangements. Implementing best practices and avoiding common pitfalls will help you balance cost and quality in employee benefits. Remember, investing in your employees’ well-being and satisfaction ultimately contributes to the success and growth of your small business.

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7 Examples of Problem-Solving Scenarios in the Workplace (With Solutions)

7 Examples of Problem-Solving Scenarios in the Workplace (With Solutions)

Have you ever encountered a problem at work? Obviously, yes. Problem-solving skills are among the essential tools for any management professional. From dealing with conflicts between team members to managing budget constraints, every day presents a unique set of problems that need to be solved effectively to ensure your team’s success. Yet, problem-solving skills remain among the hardest areas to crack and practice. This blog will explore various examples of workplace problem-solving scenarios managers commonly face. We will also discuss how problem-solving skills can be applied to overcome these challenges and provide tips on developing practical problem-solving skills as a manager.
Table of Contents

What is Problem-solving anyway?

Problem-solving refers to a set of skills needed to overcome hurdles and keep making progress as a manager. Problem-solving skills are the ability to identify, analyse, and evaluate problems and to generate and implement effective solutions to those problems. These skills involve using a combination of logical and creative thinking, as well as communication, collaboration, and critical thinking skills. They are touted as the most vital skills for managers, as identified by the Harvard Business School.
Most managers and leaders deal with problems daily. It can range from a simple communication gap to a significant threat from a competitor. At its core, the process of overcoming problems remains the same. Problem-solving scenarios can help you better understand some of these common areas. They are also a great way to look into alternative strategies. So, let’s get started and look into some problem-solving scenarios.

Problem-Solving Scenarios for Managers

Problem-solving Scenario #1: Tight Deadlines and Heavy Workload

Scenario: John, a manager, leads the marketing team on a complex project. However, he delegates tasks to team members quickly due to the tight deadlines and workload. As a result, some team members need clarification about their roles and responsibilities. Eventually, progress on the project slows down. How can John overcome this issue? Here’s what he does: 
  • Talk to the team members: John begins by asking what’s holding them back. Based on their responses, he realizes that he needs to delegate better. Immediately, John schedules meetings to clarify each member’s expectations, priorities, and roles and ensure everyone is on the same page. He also makes a note to work on his delegation skills.
  • Plan things: John creates a project timeline or task list that outlines the deadlines and deliverables for each team member and shares this with the team to ensure that everyone is aware of what is expected of them.
  • Support the team: The team sits together to establish regular check-ins or progress updates to ensure members can ask questions or raise concerns.
The key to solving this communication problem is to create a clear and open line of communication between the managers. Additionally, John identifies the skills he needs to work on: delegation and communication. 

Problem-solving Scenario #2: Handling a Product Launch

Scenario: Emily is leading a team to launch a new product. However, the project has hit a roadblock due to a lack of resources and budget constraints. The team members must find a way to deliver the project within the limited resources and budget. Here’s what Emily does to solve this problem: 
  • Review and redraw plans: Emily revisited the project plan and identified areas where the team could reduce the scope or prioritize features to meet the budget constraints.
  • Go for alternatives: The team then explored alternative resources or suppliers to find cost-effective options. Are there any underutilized resources, equipment, or personnel from other projects or departments that can be temporarily assigned to this project? Moreover, they revisited their suppliers and negotiated further.
  • Outsourcing parts of the project: Emily considered outsourcing some project functions to external contractors or freelancers. Eventually, they outsourced the marketing to another team and continued working on the core features.
  • Upgrade the available capacity: Emily and her team invested in upskilling the present workforce with additional skills. It allowed some team members to explore exciting areas and supplemented the team.
The key to solving this resource and budget problem is to identify ways to optimize resources, reduce costs, and prioritize features to deliver the project within the available constraints. The team also rightly identified the importance of stakeholder communication and kept everyone updated about their issues. It allowed them to access continued support and close the project on time. 

Problem-solving Scenario #3: Internal Conflicts in the Team

Scenario: Taylor leads a team, and two team members conflict, causing tension and affecting productivity and morale. Both the team members allege that the other one needs to contribute more. Taylor must find a way to resolve the conflict and restore harmony within the team. What does Taylor do to overcome this problem? 
  • Get both sides onboard: Taylor begins the conflict resolution process by talking to both team members. She recognizes the issue and first goes into individual discussions with both. Later, she sets up a meeting for both to share their perspectives.
  • Mediation: In the next step, the manager encourages the two team members to talk to each other and resolve the conflict independently. Taylor describes how the optimal contribution can look different for different team members. Additionally, she encourages them to be more open and collaborative so that they understand what the other one does.
  • Preventing mistakes again: The team holds a meeting to discuss the issue and allow other team members to express their thoughts and feelings. By not hiding the problem that happened in front of everyone, Taylor acknowledges the issues and shows that she cares about the things happening inside the team. Further, by discussing and sharing, they can build a healthy relationship to prevent similar issues in the future. 
  • Use formal tools: Lastly, they establish clear guidelines and expectations for behavior and communication within the team to prevent future conflicts. Training and coaching are also added to help team members improve their communication and conflict-resolution skills.
Overall, the key to managing this conflict is to address it promptly, involve the team members in the resolution process, and establish clear expectations for behavior and communication within the team. 

Problem-solving Scenario #4: Team not Meeting Targets

Scenario: Donna is the manager of a sales team responsible for meeting quarterly sales targets. However, in recent months, the team has consistently fallen short of its goals, and Donna is tasked with resolving this issue to get the team back on track. How can Donna overcome this challenge?
  • Discussions with the Sales Representatives: Donna starts by having one-on-one conversations with each team member to understand their perspectives on why the targets are not being met. After gathering insights from personal discussions, Donna calls for a team meeting. During the session, she allows team members to share their experiences, challenges, and suggestions openly. 
  • Analysis of Sales Process: Donna conducts a detailed sales process analysis, from lead generation to closing deals. She identifies bottlenecks and areas where the team might be facing difficulties. This analysis helps her pinpoint specific stages that need improvement. 
  • Setting Realistic Targets: Donna understands that overly ambitious targets might be demotivating. She collaborates with her team to develop more achievable yet challenging sales targets based on their current performance and market conditions. She organizes training sessions and workshops to help team members develop the necessary skills and knowledge to excel. 
  • Recognition and Incentives: Donna introduces a recognition program and incentives for meeting and exceeding targets to motivate the team. This helps boost morale and encourages healthy competition within the team. She closely monitors the team’s progress toward the revised targets. 
Donna’s proactive approach focuses on understanding the root causes of the performance issues, setting realistic targets, and providing the necessary support and resources to help her team meet their objectives. By involving the team in the resolution process and continuously monitoring progress, the manager turns the situation around and guides her team toward success.

Problem-solving Scenario #5: Team Facing High Turnover

Scenario: Neil, a manager, is facing the problem of a high employee turnover rate, and despite their efforts to retain employees, they cannot convince them to stay. Over time, the high turnover has negatively impacted team performance. It has increased costs and hurt the efficiency of their processes. How can Neil overcome this problem? 
  • Conduct Exit Interviews: As the stream of resignation continues, Neil adopts a realistic approach and starts by attempting to understand the issues his former team members face. He conducts exit interviews with the people leaving and tries to determine what’s wrong. 
  • Understand the current team: In the next step, Neil tries to learn the perspectives of staying people. Through surveys and conversations, he lists the good parts of working in his team and emphasizes them. He also finds the challenges and works on reducing them. 
  • Change and adapt to employee needs: These conversations help Neil enable a better work environment to help him contain turnover and attract top talent. Moving forward, he ensures that pay is competitive and work is aligned with the employee’s goals. He also involves stakeholders to create development and growth opportunities for his team.
Neil’s approach helps him get to the root cause directly. Exit interviews are a great source of information about things the team might not typically speak of. Using these and employee satisfaction surveys, managers can identify the issues that bug their teams and take steps to ease their environment accordingly.

Problem-solving Scenario #6: Team Member Facing Discrimination

Scenario: Erica, a manager, has discovered that one of their team members is being discriminated against by other team members based on race, gender, or other characteristics. Erica wants to address this problem and create a safe and inclusive workplace for all team members. Here’s what Erica does to safeguard her team: 
  • Be approachable and open: Erica first ensures she can gather all the details from the team members. She provides them with a safe space and comfort to express their concern and ensures that action will be taken. She supports the targeted team members, such as access to counselling or other resources.
  • Adopt and follow an official policy: Developing and enforcing anti-discrimination policies that clearly state the organization’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is the first step to creating a safe workplace. Erica refers to the policy and takes immediate action accordingly, including a thorough investigation.
  • Reiterating commitment and goals: Providing diversity and inclusion training to all team members to help them understand the impact of discrimination and how to prevent it is essential to create a safe workplace. Erica ensures that the team members are aware of the provisions, the DEI goals set by the organization, and 
Overall, discrimination in the workplace is unacceptable and can have a significant impact on targeted team members’ mental health and productivity. Addressing the behavior promptly and creating a safe and inclusive workplace can help prevent discrimination from occurring in the future. 

Problem-solving Scenario #7: New Manager Unable to Motivate a Team

Scenario: Andrew, a new manager, has joined a team but struggles to motivate and inspire team members to achieve their goals. Andrew wants to solve this problem and build a more engaged and productive team.  Here are some steps that Andrew took;
  • Connect with the team: Andrew starts by conducting one-on-one meetings with team members to understand their personal and professional goals, challenges, and strengths. Observing team dynamics and identifying any issues or obstacles hindering motivation and productivity also helps.
  • Involving team members in the process: Seeking feedback from team members on what motivates them and what they want to see from their manager to feel more inspired.
  • Enabling and empowering: Offering opportunities for growth and development, such as training, mentoring, or leadership roles, helped Andrew contribute to his team’s development. 
  • Take help from Merlin: Andrew reached out to Merlin, the AI chatbot of Risely, to get tips whenever he got stuck. Merlin sought details about his issues and shared some tips to help out Andrew. Here is what it looked like: 
Andrew started engaging with his team and solving the problem with them. It was a great way to connect with them and enable healthy relationships. You can check out Merlin too by signing up for free today: Unlock Merlin now!

Building an Effective Problem-Solving Framework

Problem-solving is an ongoing exercise for management professionals. As it’s not a one-stop action, managers should ensure their skills can support them throughout the journey. Here are a few tips to get this right: 
  • Develop a problem-solving process: To get problem-solving right for multiple scenarios repeatedly, the key is to remember and set a problem-solving approach that works across the board. A wide-ranged problem-solving process that begins with identification and concludes at the resolution helps managers navigate various challenges the profession throws us. 
  • Learn to identify problems: The key to solving problems is placing them at the right moment. If you let some problems pester for long, they can become more significant issues for the teams. Hence, building the understanding to identify issues is essential for managers.
  • Think from multiple perspectives: As a problem-solver, you must care for various parties and stakeholders. Thus, thinking from numerous perspectives and considering ideas from a broad spectrum of people is a core skill. 
  • Consistently work on skills: Like other managerial skills, problem-solving skills need constant practice and review. Over time, your skills can become more robust with the help of assessments and toolkits. Tools like Risely can help you with resources and constant guidance to overcome managerial challenges. Check out Risely today to start reaching your true potential.

Wrapping Up!

As we have seen throughout this blog, problem-solving skills are essential for any manager. From managing conflicts between team members to addressing budget constraints, effective problem-solving can help managers navigate complex challenges and lead their teams toward success. Through various problem-solving scenarios, we have explored how managers can apply their problem-solving skills to overcome various challenges in the workplace. We have also provided practical tips with the examples of problem-solving scenarios on how to develop and enhance your problem-solving skills as a manager. As a manager, staying adaptable and open-minded when faced with new challenges is crucial. By using your problem-solving skills and considering multiple problem-solving scenarios, you can find effective solutions to problems that may initially seem insurmountable.

Suprabha Sharma

Suprabha, a versatile professional who blends expertise in human resources and psychology, bridges the divide between people management and personal growth with her novel perspectives at Risely. Her experience as a human resource professional has empowered her to visualize practical solutions for frequent managerial challenges that form the pivot of her writings.

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Frequently Asked Questions for Managers

What are some problem-solving scenarios?

Problem-solving scenarios are often used in training or educational settings to help individuals develop problem-solving abilities.
Here are some examples of problem-solving scenarios:
– A manufacturing company is experiencing a high rate of defects in its products. The company needs to identify the root cause of the problem and implement a solution to improve quality control.
– A software company is experiencing a high rate of customer complaints about the usability of its product. The company needs to identify the software areas causing problems and develop a plan to improve the user experience.

What are problem scenarios?

Problem scenarios are similar to problem-solving scenarios but typically refer to real-world problems that individuals face. Problem scenarios can help individuals develop problem-solving skills by providing real-world challenges.

What is one example of problem-solving?

Here is an example of a problem-solving:
A small business owner is experiencing a decline in sales and profitability. The owner needs to identify the reasons for the decline and develop a plan to turn the business around.
To solve this problem, the owner could analyze sales data, conduct market research, identify areas of inefficiency in the business, and develop a plan to improve marketing and operations. Through this process, the owner can develop their problem-solving skills and improve their business performance.

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Sowing The Seeds Of Curiosity In The Workplace

Sowing The Seeds Of Curiosity In The Workplace

What’s the common factor behind every ground-breaking discovery and innovation? The persistent questioning. Why do things happen this way, and how can we improve it? Or what happens if we change our plans? Curiosity in the workplace is the drive to explore, learn, question, and seek new knowledge and ideas. It fuels innovation, fosters personal and professional growth, and creates a culture of continuous learning and improvement. In this blog, we will see what curiosity can do for you and what you, as a manager, can do to sow the seeds of curiosity in your team’s minds.
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What is Curiosity in the Workplace?

Curiosity in the workplace refers to an individual’s eagerness and willingness to explore, learn, and seek new knowledge and experiences. It involves a proactive and inquisitive mindset, a desire to understand the world around you, and a continuous drive for improvement and growth. Curious individuals are open to new ideas, receptive to different perspectives, and motivated to expand their skills and knowledge.

Curiosity – In All Its Dimensions

Researchers over the years have narrowed down five dimensions of curiosity. These five include: 
  • Joyous Exploration: Happily seeking the new and enjoying the process. 
  • Deprivation Sensitivity: Feeling anxious without the information or solution.
  • Stress Tolerance: The willingness to embrace distress from unexpected events or ideas. 
  • Social Curiosity: The desire to get involved and join conversations to figure things out.
  • Thrill Seeking. Openness to intense experiences in the quest for new. 

Let’s See Some Examples of Curiosity in The Workplace

There are many ways we witness curiosity in action at work. How many of the ones listed below can you find around you?
  • Asking Questions: Curious individuals ask thoughtful questions to deepen their understanding of a topic, project, or process. They seek information and insights that can contribute to their learning and the overall success of the team or organization.
  • Exploring New Ideas: Curiosity leads people to explore and embrace innovative ideas. Curious individuals are open to trying new things, whether it’s suggesting a novel approach to problem-solving, proposing a creative solution, or experimenting with a new process.
  • Continuous Learning: A curious mindset promotes a commitment to continuous learning. It may involve attending workshops, taking online courses, reading industry publications, or participating in professional development opportunities to stay current with industry trends.
  • Feedback Seeking: Curious employees actively seek feedback on their work, both positive and constructive. They view feedback as an opportunity for improvement and personal growth rather than criticism.
  • Networking: Curious individuals are likely to engage in networking activities within and outside the organization. They seek to connect with professionals in their field, attend industry events, and build relationships that can contribute to their knowledge base and career development.
  • Experimentation: Curiosity often involves a willingness to experiment and take calculated risks. Curious individuals may propose and test new ideas, products, or processes, contributing to a culture of innovation in the workplace.

Two Types of Curiosity at Work That Managers Should Cultivate

Generally, when we talk of curiosity, we delve into three types. Diverse and epistemic curiosity talk about happiness that comes from simple newness and building understanding. The third, empathic curiosity, relates to interpersonal relationships and feelings for others. When we set the context in a workplace, however, we are primarily going to focus on two types of curiosity that the I/D model of Dr. Litman defines: 
  • Intellectual Curiosity (I): Intellectual curiosity refers to the innate drive to seek knowledge, insights, and understanding about the world. People with high intellectual curiosity are motivated by a genuine interest in ideas, concepts, and the pursuit of wisdom. Intellectual curiosity leads you to question, analyze, and seek answers to complex problems, driving a continuous quest for knowledge and a deeper understanding of various subjects.
  • Deprivation Curiosity (D): Deprivation curiosity, on the other hand, is a dimension of curiosity that involves a distinct emotional tone, typically characterized by anxiety, tension, or a sense of deprivation. Individuals with high deprivation curiosity are motivated to seek knowledge or solutions to alleviate these feelings. This form of curiosity may arise when there’s a perceived gap in knowledge, a problem to be solved, or a need to understand something complex. 

Why is Curiosity Important in The Workplace?

Curiosity in the workplace is of utmost importance as it serves as a catalyst for growth, innovation, and success. It fuels a sense of exploration, leading to new ideas, perspectives, and opportunities. Curiosity drives employees to seek knowledge, ask critical questions, and continuously learn, which enhances their skills and adaptability in a rapidly evolving world. It promotes a culture of innovation and creativity, as individuals explore different approaches and challenge the status quo. Curiosity also fosters collaboration and teamwork by encouraging open-mindedness and appreciation for diverse perspectives. Ultimately, organizations that embrace curiosity in the workplace are better equipped to navigate change, solve complex problems, and stay ahead in competitive environments. (content, direct impact)

How to Develop Curiosity at Work?

Encouraging inquisitiveness among employees leads to better solutions and more collaborative relationships within a business. But managers’ primary question is finding the right ways to promote this habit. At the outset, your team might not be comfortable accepting the need for more learning. You might also hesitate while asking questions because questioning is often seen as acknowledging limited know-how. And, of course, there are risks involved. Curiosity can take you down paths that are uncertain and unpredictable. So, what’s the way out? We are sharing five ways to develop curiosity here, which can get you and your team started.

Encourage Questioning

Encourage employees to ask questions and explore different perspectives. For example, during team meetings, create a safe space where individuals can freely inquire, challenge assumptions, and contribute ideas which in turn, enhances curiosity in the workplace. For instance, in a brainstorming session, a team leader actively encourages everyone to ask questions about a new project. A curious team member asks thought-provoking questions that challenge the existing approach, sparking a discussion that leads to innovative solutions.

Promote Learning Opportunities

Provide avenues for continuous learning and professional development. Offer workshops, training sessions, or online courses that align with employees’ interests and allow them to explore new skills and knowledge. To make it even easier, you can facilitate employee resource groups focused on learning that work independently. For instance, a company organizes a lunch-and-learn session where employees can explore topics of interest. A curious employee attends a session on design thinking, gaining new insights and approaches that they later apply to improve their work processes.

Embrace Diversity of Thought

Encourage a diverse and inclusive workplace where different ideas and perspectives are valued. Encourage employees to engage in open and respectful discussions, fostering an environment that supports curiosity and learning from one another. For instance, during a team meeting, a project manager actively seeks input from team members with diverse backgrounds and experiences. The curiosity-driven dialogue leads to unique insights and approaches that enhance the project’s outcomes.

Encouraging inquisitiveness among employees

Grant employees autonomy in how they approach their work and allow them the flexibility to explore new ideas or alternative methods. Encourage them to take ownership of their projects and pursue innovative solutions. By giving employees the freedom to experiment and take calculated risks, you empower their curiosity and creativity. For instance, Alex spends their dedicated time researching machine learning algorithms, attending online courses, and experimenting with different frameworks and libraries. They collaborate with other team members who share similar interests and exchange knowledge and ideas. During the process, Alex faces challenges, but they are motivated to overcome them because they have the freedom to explore and learn from their mistakes without the fear of immediate deadlines or strict project requirements.

Recognize and Reward Curiosity

Celebrate their achievements and encourage others to follow suit. This can be done through performance evaluations, promotions, public recognition, or even non-monetary incentives like additional learning opportunities or extra time for personal projects. By recognizing and reinforcing curiosity, you create a positive feedback loop that encourages more exploration. For instance, In a marketing agency, there is a team of content writers responsible for creating engaging blog posts and articles for clients. The company wants to foster a culture of curiosity and encourage the writers to come up with fresh and innovative ideas for content creation. The company decides to implement a monthly “Curiosity Award” to recognize and reward the writer who demonstrates exceptional curiosity and creativity in their work.

Conclusion

In conclusion, curiosity is a key driver of professional growth and development. Intellectual curiosity helps you stay engaged, motivated, and open to new ideas and opportunities. Curiosity in the workplace not only fuels innovation but also helps build a culture of continuous learning and improvement. By cultivating curiosity, you can develop a growth mindset, challenge assumptions, and explore new perspectives. To unleash your professional potential, start by identifying areas where you can cultivate more curiosity.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do you demonstrate curiosity at work?

Demonstrate curiosity in the workplace by asking thoughtful questions, trying new approaches to tasks, pursuing learning opportunities, and collaborating with colleagues to generate fresh ideas. Embrace the unknown and be open to exploring different perspectives and options.

What is Professional Curiosity & why is it so important?

Professional curiosity refers to a thirst for knowledge and understanding within one’s industry or field. It is crucial for ongoing learning, innovation, and growth. Adopting a curious mindset can help in discovering new opportunities and solutions, leading to higher job satisfaction and career achievements.

What are the benefits of curiosity in the workplace?

Encouraging curiosity in the workplace can lead to new ideas, innovations, and effective problem-solving. It motivates employees and promotes engagement, contributing to a stronger company culture and better team collaboration. Additionally, a curious mindset aids personal growth, advancing one’s skills and career.

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How To Know Your Team Better? 10+ Questions For Managers

How To Know Your Team Better? 10+ Questions For Managers

In a team, you make decisions based on the strengths of your members. It is also one of the ways you get to know your team better. A manager’s job is to understand their team member’s strengths and weaknesses and ensure that everyone’s needs are met. The manager plays an important role in the success of any organization. But with so many responsibilities, managers face daily challenges, and it can be difficult for them to stay updated. For starters, managers need to know their team members well. To do this, we’ve created an extensive list of questions every manager should ask before developing new people. But before we get into the list, let’s talk about how you can know your team better as a manager.
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Do you know your team members well?

A lot of managers just focus on the work. But there’s a lot that you are missing out on by not knowing who makes up your team. When shooting for the stars, it’s best to know everyone is keeping your effort going. Managers should know their team members because it helps to identify and address any issues early on before they become more challenging to fix. Additionally, managers can use this information to understand their team’s strengths and weaknesses better and make informed decisions to help the team achieve its goals. By understanding the team member’s strengths and weaknesses, managers can help to encourage and positively motivate team members and help them to develop their skills and abilities. Managers can also use this information to identify potential conflicts or disagreements and take appropriate steps to prevent or resolve them. Finally, by knowing what is going on with the team members, managers can provide feedback and guidance that is relevant and helpful to the team’s overall progress. Spending time with your team members outside of work can help you understand them better and build trust and rapport. Plus, this will help you identify the strengths and weaknesses of each individual and tailor your leadership style to suit them. Effective communication is essential for building a solid working relationship with your team members. Get to know your employees through communication in a way that best suits them. Also, join Risely for managers to gain insight and advice on leading an effective team. It will help you develop strategies and processes that foster collaboration and creativity within your team. Besides, it will also help you identify areas for improvement and make necessary adjustments in the right direction.

Questions to know your team

Managers can ask many questions to get to know their team better. Make sure to ask questions at an appropriate time. It helps managers understand the team’s strengths and challenges better. Ask questions that help you delve into topics relevant to your organization’s goals.
  • What are your career aspirations?
  • What motivates you to come to work every day?
  • What are your strengths and weaknesses?
  • What are your preferred methods of communication?
  • What do you enjoy most about your job?
  • What kind of tasks do you find most challenging?
  • What kind of support or resources do you need to perform your job effectively?
  • How do you like to receive feedback?
  • What kind of work environment do you prefer?
  • What are your personal and professional goals for the next year?
  • What type of projects or tasks do you find most rewarding?
  • What training or development opportunities do you think would benefit you?
  • How do you like to collaborate with your colleagues?
  • What kind of recognition or rewards do you find most meaningful?
  • What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your role?
  • What kind of work-life balance do you prefer?
  • What sort of work culture do you thrive in?
  • Which leadership style do you find most effective?
  • What does your preferred work schedule look like?
  • What are your preferred methods of learning and problem-solving?
You can also take the help of team assessments on Risely to know your team’s thoughts on your specific leadership skills. Risely’s leadership skills assessments offer anonymous feedback reports from team members on managers that reflect their unfiltered opinion, and many open doors of development for leaders.

Icebreaker activities for new managers

A new manager’s role can be challenging, especially as the role evolves and becomes more complicated. New managers face many common challenges, such as building a solid team and creating a positive work environment. To do so, managers can take the help of some icebreaker activities. A few are listed below:
  • Taking a team out for a hike or bike ride to get to know each other better.
  • Holding team-building activities in the workplace, such as scavenger hunts or trivia contests.
  • Hosting social events outside work, such as movie nights or dinner parties.
  • Providing opportunities for team members to share their ideas and suggestions through brainstorming sessions.
  • Encouraging team members to share unique facts about themselves.

Skills to get to know your team better

There are a few skills that new managers need to get to know their team better. These include understanding team members’ individual personalities and strengths and having strong communication and interpersonal skills.

One-on-one catch-ups

One-on-one meetings with your team members can be beneficial for getting to know them better. These meetings allow you to share meals and potlucks with them, build trust and cohesion within the team, and learn more about their work and personalities. Asking your team questions can help you get to know them better. For example, you could ask them “20 questions” as a get-acquainted team-building activity. It would allow you to learn more about them as individuals while building trust and cohesion within the team. Such meetings provide a valuable opportunity for communicating and collaborating with your team, which can help you reach goals at work.

Constructive Feedback

Giving constructive feedback is an essential skill for managers. Managers should helpfully give feedback – mixing positive and negative remarks – and deliver it calmly and respectfully to the recipient. Moreover, feedback is not a one-sided activity. You can collect constructive feedback from your team members too. In addition to opening up new directions for a productive workplace, it will help you become a more humane manager who is honest about their vulnerabilities with their team members.

Active Listening

A key skill for managers is the ability to listen attentively. It means that you are actively engaged in what your team member is saying, and you are not just waiting for them to finish so that you can jump in with your opinion or advice. Listening actively allows managers to understand the ideas and thoughts of their team members properly. It also helps build trust between manager and employee, leading to better communication overall within the workplace. Managers who know their team well will be better equipped to achieve success both at work and personal levels. By taking the time to learn about your team, you can build a strong relationship of trust and collaboration that will help you achieve your goals.

Conclusion

The ability to get the right answers could change your entire team’s culture. To start, ask some of these questions to understand your team better and ensure you’re all on the same page. You can also organize team dinners or walking meetings to build a closer bond. These activities will help you understand how your team functions and create a more comfortable working environment for everyone.

Being An Approachable Manager: 8 Essential Steps To Follow

Being An Approachable Manager: 8 Essential Steps To Follow

Being approachable isn’t just a fancy term for being friendly. It is actually about setting the right tone and listening to others. When you’re being approachable as a leader, people know that they can come to you with any questions or concerns, and you’re likely to be able to offer sound advice and help them out. More importantly, they don’t feel shy or are scared of you. In the context of managers, being an approachable manager is critical if you want to build a good relationship with your team members. It can also help you forge stronger business ties.  However, becoming an approachable manager isn’t easy. In fact, it can be pretty challenging. But if you’re up for the challenge, you can take a few simple steps to become more approachable and intuitive. This blog outlines these steps while explaining how to make the most of them. We’ll also be discussing the benefits of being an approachable manager, as it is something you need to know to get the motivation to walk down this path. So if you’re looking to be more approachable, read on!
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The benefits of being an Approachable Manager

Being an approachable manager has many benefits for both you and your employees. By creating an open and communicative work environment, you create a trusting relationship that can lead to team productivity and success. Additionally, being approachable makes it easy for your employees to reach out and ask for help – no matter how big or small the issue may be. By taking the time to listen attentively, you can resolve any conflicts or concerns quickly and efficiently. In the end, being an approachable manager builds trust, communication, and team collaboration. Let’s take a deeper look.

You’ll be more likely to keep your team on track and motivated

Managing a team can be challenging, but it can also be rewarding if you are an approachable manager. A study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology found that employees who viewed their managers as accessible were more likely to feel motivated and engaged in their work and were less likely to leave their jobs. Employees feel appreciated and understood by their managers, boosting their morale and motivation. You keep your team on track and build trust and rapport with them by being approachable.

Your team will feel more comfortable talking with you

Your team’s inability to openly talk to you is bad news if you aim to become an effective manager. People tend to feel more comfortable talking with someone approachable. Therefore, being approachable as a manager makes it easier for you to resolve problems. It also leads to better lines of communication across the organization and builds a more robust network. As a result, everyone will be able to understand what is happening quickly, and that can resolve any issues swiftly. In a fast-paced environment like today’s business world, being an approachable manager is essential for quick resolutions.

They’ll trust you more and be more responsive when asking for help or feedback

Being an approachable manager enables you to build strong relationships with your team members. It also boosts trust and leads to more productive collaborations. It further leads to a more responsive team when you ask them for help or feedback. Additionally, it translates to more stable team culture, reduced communication breakdowns, and a streamlined workflow. It ultimately leads to a more substantial business. As a result, you can be assured of better outcomes and increased efficiency.

You’ll be more likely to find new talent

There’s no doubt that hiring and retaining the best talent is one of the most important aspects of any business, and attrition is also a challenge that many managers face daily. When you’re an approachable manager, you open yourself up to potential candidates and make it easier for them to connect with you. It, in turn, makes it much easier for them to apply for your position and cross probably the most challenging part of the job application process. When you make it easy for people to reach out to you, they’re more likely to feel comfortable sharing their ideas and desires with you – leading to a more productive team overall.

You’ll be more likely to get your team’s feedback and suggestions

It’s no secret that a strong relationship between a manager and their team is essential for successful functioning. An approachable manager who understands their employees’ needs will be more likely to get their feedback and suggestions, leading to better decision making, improved execution, and a more robust bottom line. After all, the more informed a manager is, the better they can make informed decisions that will improve the company overall. So, if you want your business to thrive in the future, make sure to put in the extra effort to be an approachable leader and friendly to your team. In return, you’ll be rewarded with precious feedback and suggestions.

Approachability is contagious; if people see you as approachable, they’re more likely to follow suit

The key is to make sure that you’re constantly working on improving your technique and setting the example for your team. If you can show them that it’s possible to be approachable and professional simultaneously, they’re more likely to follow your lead. And the best part is that it doesn’t take much effort; it can even be fun! By bringing a few changes in your behavior and skills to become approachable, you can ensure that you’re setting the right example for your team and making a positive impact on their careers.

Lastly, being approachable builds trust

Being approachable is an important skill, especially if you want to build trust and good relationships with your team members and clients. Trust is at the heart of any healthy relationship or organization. When you trust someone, you are more likely to be open and honest with them, and you tend to view them as a credible source of information. Approachability goes beyond simply being polite; it is about taking the time to get to know your employees and customers on a personal level. You can build a strong foundation for lasting relationships that are crucial to your success.

The steps you need to follow to become an Approachable Manager

The steps you need to follow consist of a few changes in your behavior and the skills and processes you follow. These changes will ultimately increase your approachability and lead you towards becoming an approachable manager. So, what are these changes? Let’s discuss them one by one.

Changes in Behavior

The most critical part of the behavior change is to look human to your team. They must see you for the individual you are and not a position. Humans are vulnerable. They make mistakes and learn from them. They also have fun with the people around them. So don’t present yourself as someone else. Be yourself like you are with your friends.
1. Develop a positive attitude
It’s crucial to have a positive attitude when striving to be an approachable manager. It is essential because seeing yourself as a positive person will change how you think, act, and relate. You’ll spontaneously treat others with respect, kindness, and warmth. All this will together make you approachable. It can be difficult when things are going poorly, but it’s essential if you want to build relationships with your team and achieve the objectives you set for yourself. One of the best ways to develop a positive attitude is to focus on your strengths. When you focus on what you do well, you’ll see progress and success in areas you previously struggled with. That will ultimately lead you to develop a positive attitude.
2. Be vulnerable in sharing your failures or insecurities
As a manager, it’s important to be vulnerable in sharing your failures or insecurities. It will help you build trust and credibility with your team and enable them to lean on you for support when things get tough. When you are completely candid with your team, they will see you as a person instead of a manager. It empowers them to take risks and make decisions in the team’s best interest. It’s also important to be open about your thoughts and ideas so that they can provide valuable feedback. If you can make yourself approachable and available, your team will be more likely to report to you with good news, and they’ll be more likely to stick around if things go wrong.
3. When you don’t know something, accept it and work together to figure out
When you don’t know something, and you’re the team manager, it’s essential to be patient and accept that fact. It means reaching out to your team and asking for help in most cases. If somebody on your team is knowledgeable about the subject, they’re more than happy to lend a hand. You can quickly get up to speed on the issue and make the best decisions possible by working together. It is essential for decisions that impact the team’s productivity or morale. When you approach your employees with your problems or shortcomings, they are also pushed to come to you for their issues, positively impacting your approachability.
4. Speak openly and honestly with others
If you want to become an approachable manager, a crucial step is to start speaking openly and honestly with others. It means being straightforward and honest about your intentions and willing to listen to others’ perspectives. Be responsive, show openness to feedback, and communicate openly about what you are doing and why so that everyone in your team feels engaged and invested in your work. Finally, while being honest, respect others’ time and effort.
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Changes in skill and process

Along with the behavior change, you will also have to get new skills and put some new processes in place. Basically, it would help if you created the right opportunities.
1. Proactively schedule one-on-one meetings with your direct and indirect reports
Being an approachable manager isn’t simply a one-time act. It’s a continuous journey. As your team grows and your responsibilities increase, it’s essential to schedule one-on-one meetings with your indirect and direct reports proactively. This way, you can get to know them better, build trust and accountability, and manage expectations. It will allow you to get a 360-degree view of their work and progress and get their feedback and suggestions on how you can improve their working environment. It will also allow you to connect with them at a personal level. It’s also essential to create an environment where your team feels comfortable communicating openly and candidly with you. These one-on-one meetings are also a great way to show empathy and compassion to your employees, and these are the critical skills of approachable people.
2. Keep seeking feedback from your team and others around you
To be an approachable manager, you need to seek feedback from your team and others around you constantly. It will help you understand the areas in which you need to improve and take the necessary measures to improve your relationship and communication skills. By getting feedback from various sources, you will be able to understand the needs of your team better and cater to them accordingly. However, take proper note of your feedback, as it can be a valuable tool in your professional arsenal. If handled properly, feedback can help drive continuous improvement and development in your managerial skills.
3. Practice active listening
Being approachable starts with being a good listener, which means being able to listen attentively. Active listening is simply taking in what the other person is saying and not focusing on distractions like your thoughts or opinions. It includes asking good questions, being inquisitive, maintaining eye contact, and paying attention to what your team members say. It will help you understand their individual needs and goals. When you can effectively listen to others, you can build trust and rapport, which will help improve the overall quality of your communication. It makes it easier for the other person to open up to you, allowing you to understand their intentions and motivations better.
4. Make your body language approachable
Body language can be compelling and make you or break you in relationships with your employees. If you want to become an approachable manager, you need to start by making sure that your body language is open, friendly, and inviting. Start by keeping your hands out of your pockets, maintain a good posture, and avoid crossing your arms or legs. Instead, uncross your arms and legs, and take a deep breath to attain a relaxed position. Keep your facial features soft and neutral, and avoid making any intense or angry expressions. Also, avoid any inappropriate hand gestures. Finally, keep your voice calm and low-key when speaking to others. You can make it easy for others to approach you and start working together by following these simple tips.

Conclusion

To conclude, being approachable is a desirable trait in managers, but it’s also something that can exponentially increase your chances of success. Being an approachable manager is a great way to build a good rapport with your team, but it also has many tangible benefits. As mentioned in the blog, you need to take a few key steps to become an Approachable Manager. By following these steps and bringing the required changes in your behavior, skills, and the processes you follow, you’ll be well on your way to becoming an approachable manager. Also, you can take assistance from Risely-manager’s buddy to enhance your managerial skills and adapt to changes to create a healthy workplace culture.

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FAQs

Why should managers be approachable?

Managers should be approachable because it fosters open communication and builds trust between them and their team members. When employees feel comfortable approaching their manager, they are more likely to share feedback, ideas, and concerns, which can lead to better collaboration, problem-solving, and overall performance.

What does it mean to be an approachable leader?

Being an approachable leader means creating an environment where team members feel comfortable coming to you with questions, concerns, feedback, or ideas. It means being open, receptive, and non-judgmental when team members approach you, and actively listening to what they have to say. Approachable leaders are also willing to provide support, guidance, and mentorship to their team members when needed.

What are approachable leadership qualities?

Some approachable leadership qualities that every manager should aspire to have are:
– Active listening
– Being open to questions and ideas
– Humility
– Accessibility

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