RELATED: 5 Things You Should Always Tell Your Boss Showing that you’re human is important, says Kerry Cooper, president of Rothy’s, a shoe company. Modeling positive behavior—taking your kids to visit the office, not sending late-night emails, accepting someone’s need for a mental health day—contributes to a happier, healthier work environment. RELATED: How to Ask Your Boss for a Mental Health Day Creating collaborative energy can help you get more out of your team because they’ll feel they have a voice and know that a great idea can come from anyone. Even if you disagree with a recommendation, make it clear that you heard what the person had to say and explain why you decided on a different path. “Teams need to feel engaged,” says Shannon King, senior vice president of partnerships for A&E Networks. “That comes from feeling like their contributions are meaningful.” RELATED: 4 Things Every Manager Should Know Maybe you keep your door shut because it helps you focus, not because you’re closed off. Share that info—and the best way to catch your attention. If you value efficiency and don’t like making small talk, let your employees know that. Your honesty will help when you interrupt a story about someone’s weekend to start a meeting. First, decide what skills, personality type, or professional background may be missing from your team, then zero in on those qualities during the interview process. Sullivan assesses softer skills by asking about hopes, fears, and visions. Give small assignments that allow you to see the person in action. Discover their unique strengths and play to them. Don’t assume you know what motivates each member of your team-ask. For some, it may be feeling that they’re making an impact. For others, it may be learning new things or being invited to meetings. Some may perform best when there’s time to prepare, while others shine when brainstorming on their feet; give both types of people a chance to succeed. (For example, allow your team to share ideas before a meeting using a shared doc platform.) RELATED: How to Delegate Effectively Learn about your new employee. Ask: “How do you like to get feedback?” “How should I contact you if I need you on short notice?” “Do you work better in a quiet environment or a collaborative one?” “What do you want out of your boss?” Share your preferences too. How do you like to be approached with questions? How often do you meet with your direct reports? “The biggest mistake people make is not taking the time to review communication styles,” says Sullivan. Also, discuss the culture of success, recommends Simi. Explain how you and the company measure success and what good performance means. “Employees should look to you not to fix a problem for them but to empower them to find the right solution,” says Sullivan. If an employee is blocked, brainstorm together. If you know a task is tedious and requires extra focus, suggest a day to work from home. If they’re having trouble getting a sign-off from a client, make the phone call together. “A good boss will guide you and remove obstacles on your behalf,” says King.
