Even in the most open working environments, employees probably don’t feel comfortable telling managers these things.
Here are two things a good portion of your staff probably wants you to know — and how to react accordingly.
1. We’re smarter than you give us credit for. Many employees believe their skills and talents are underestimated and underutilized. To change this mindset, it’s important to trust employees with more complex tasks and assignments. Once they see you’re not afraid to delegate important projects, this mentality will start to subside.
2. You’re not giving us the full story. When it comes to interworkings of the company, most workers assume (and rightly so) there’s so much info their managers are withholding. This can be especially dangerous when companies are going through rough periods. The best way to change this mindset is through good, old-fashioned honesty. Let employees know as much as you possibly can — and be clear about exactly when you’re expecting to get more details. Key: If you don’t have an answer, just admit it.