One undeniable aspect that comes with being human is our inherent need for control. This need was incredibly triggered when we were forced back into our homes – autonomy stripped and survival threatened. This need was also at play in September 2021, during the Great Resignation, when people started taking stock of their own lives.
Now, why are we talking about control?
Because this is what most employees feel they no longer have.
The moment they step into work, they feel like they are just there to do what they’re told. While this is the primitive idea behind employment, studies actually show that a lack of autonomy leads to high levels of stress at work.
So, how do we manage this negative energy in the workplace?
We give people back their sense of control.
We don’t do this with total freedom.
We do this with trust.
Trust as an Essential at Work
The most typical scenario at work is that we are always caught doing something wrong, being told what to do, and left without many options to work with. We can alter this approach with a system centered on trust and respect.
Here’s how corporate leaders can do this:
Exercise Accountability
Repeating people’s mistakes to them isn’t sustainable, since they already know they’ve done wrong. The best approach, instead of just reprimanding them, is to let them fix the problem. Allow them to exercise their problem-solving skills, while guiding them in the background. This lets your people experience power without shielding them from the consequences of their decisions.
Encouraging Collaboration
Let your people have a say. Allow them to share their ideas, actively listen to them, and consider their suggestions if they prove viable. By giving your people the chance to contribute and take initiative, we as managers also find the leaders of the pack. We ultimately make them feel that they belong.
Refrain from Micromanagement
This kind of practice not only creates dependent employees, but workers are also most likely not to exert initiative, and exude confidence. In some cases, employees start to detach and disengage from their jobs, and this can negatively affect their performance and customer experience. By trusting your people that they can get the job done, they will feel more responsible and are more inclined to perform better.
At StaffCX, we redefine customer experience and deal with the hiring crisis and high attrition rates with the latest innovation in talent recruitment, assessment, and onboarding.
Learn more about how we do it.
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