Individuals have a choice of where they work and the level of effort they put forth in their roles. Employees are often more engaged when they feel recognized as individuals and appreciated for what they do for the team or organization. In today’s fast-paced hybrid work environment, it is hard to feel connected to the entire team without some intentionality. For that reason, I make it a point each month to think about the individuals with whom I have not connected in a while. Then I invite my colleague to connect.
Here are some ways to connect with your colleagues:
Pick up the phone. Yes, it may feel a little 90s, and some more junior staff may be shocked to receive a phone call out of the blue rather than a text or a scheduled Zoom meeting. I have found that spontaneous phone calls often result in the best conversations. Just like when I was in an office, and I might stop at someone’s desk, the spontaneous phone call lets you catch someone mid-work. You might ask, “How are you today?” or “What are you working on right now?” I have found that people offer different responses in these moments that they have not prepared for, and you can learn in real time what they are excited about and with what they are really struggling.
Invite a colleague to meet for lunch or a virtual coffee. The day is busy, and we spend so much time focused on work. While the work is important, we can more effectively manage those whom we know how to motivate. Creating planned time to check in in depth in a more casual setting than a formal meeting can lead to great conversations. You might ask about upcoming travels or vacations, or about their volunteer activities outside of work. You could also ask about career goals and what projects they are finding most interesting right now at work.
Share feedback and appreciation. Make sure that staff have a chance to come together at regular planned intervals. In those sessions, invite others to share their appreciation of their colleagues. This is a great time for the supervisor to share positive feedback they have received about the team and/or an individual, and formally recognize this behavior with a simple thank you.
While this work of connecting one-on-one is often invisible to many in the organization, it is very visible and deeply felt by the individual on the receiving end. By connecting one-on-one this way, leaders are able to build trust and loyalty with staff. When leadership demonstrates that it is invested in staff, it helps to drive a culture in which staff are invested in each other and the success of the organization.
Are you seeking to be more connected to your staff and colleagues? Contact us to work with one of our leadership coaches to explore how to connect with others in a meaningful and authentic way.