8 Ways To Empower Your Employees To Boost Productivity

Although it may sound simple, empowering your employees in the workplace is more than just a ‘feel good’ strategy. Instead, it has been proven that empowering your employees is a bulletproof way of investing in the future and the culture of your business.

With labour shortages ravaging the county, empowering your employees is more important than ever.

The benefits of empowering your employees have been proven to enhance creativity, boost productivity and as a result increase profitability.

But don’t be fooled… knowing the skill set it takes to motivate, encourage, and empower your employees takes practice and adaptability.

So here are our top 8 ways you can improve work performance by empowering the people in your organisation.

1. Building a Culture of Trust

A study on “The Business Case For A High Trust Culture” conducted by the Great Place to Work found that companies that encourage a culture of trust report stock market returns that are two to three times higher than the market average, as well as having a turnover rate that is 50 per cent lower than industry competitors.

To build a culture that truly champions trust, you need to lead by example. That means being honest, transparent, and encouraging open dialogue and debate among your team members. By fostering a culture of trust, you’ll create an environment where employees are comfortable sharing their ideas and concerns, and where everyone is committed to the success of the team.

2. Empowering Empathy at the core

While empathy may seem like an abstract concept in the workplace, recent research conducted by Businesssolver has revealed that valuing empathy in your leadership strategy is extremely important to the success of a company. In fact, an overwhelming 91 per cent of CEOs recognise empathy as a key factor in a company’s financial performance, while 93 per cent of employees report being more likely to remain with an empathetic employer.

Empathy is a critical skill for leaders to cultivate in the workplace. By actively listening and engaging with team members, leaders can create a culture of respect, understanding, and mutual support. This can lead to increased productivity, higher employee morale, and ultimately, greater success for the organisation.

3. Communication is key

Effective communication is the backbone of any successful organisation. Leaders can create a culture of innovation, collaboration, and trust by championing and rewarding open communication within the workplace. When employees feel comfortable sharing their ideas and concerns, they’re more likely to contribute their unique perspectives and insights, leading to more creative and cutting-edge solutions.

4. Fostering Growth Opportunities

As a business owner, playing a critical role in your employee’s growth and development is essential.

According to a study by LinkedIn, employees who are encouraged to take on learning and development tasks at work experience a range of benefits, including a 47 per cent reduction in stress, a 39 per cent increase in productivity and feelings of success, a 23 per cent greater readiness to take on additional responsibilities, and a 21 per cent boost in confidence and happiness.

Investing in the growth and development of your employees can lead to increased engagement, higher retention rates, and ultimately, better performance and outcomes for your business.

5. Transforming Mistakes into Growth

Errors are an unavoidable part of businesses. However, the way in which we handle them plays a crucial role in how we empower our employees. By providing constructive feedback and guidance when mistakes occur, leaders can help to create a more positive, solutions-oriented work environment, where employees feel empowered to take ownership of their work.

6. Create environments for your employees to thrive in their role

Empowering your employees by giving them decision-making responsibilities over their areas of work can be crucial in driving engagement and commitment towards your company. By involving them in the decision-making process, employees tend to feel more invested in the company’s goals and objectives.

Delegation of tasks is key to this approach, but it’s important to trust your employees and refrain from micromanaging. Accepting that they may complete the task differently than you can lead to fresh ideas and innovative approaches.

7. Understanding each employee’s personal and professional values

By aligning an employee’s personal values and goals with the company’s vision, leaders can create a sense of purpose and meaning for their team members.

This not only fosters a more engaged and motivated workforce but also encourages employees to take ownership and initiative in their work. This can lead to greater independence and autonomy within the organisation.

8. Recognise hard work

Showing appreciation for hard work is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to create a culture of productivity and innovation within your team.

When employees feel valued and recognised for their efforts, they are more likely to be motivated to continue contributing to the success of the company. Whether it’s a simple thank you note or a more elaborate employee recognition program, taking the time to acknowledge and reward hard work can have a huge impact on employee morale and job satisfaction. So go ahead, show your team some love and watch as their productivity and creativity soar!

By empowering your team, you’re not only encouraging growth and development within your organisation, but you also create a culture of innovation and creativity that can lead to long-term success.

So, take the time to invest in your employees, foster open communication, provide opportunities for learning and growth, and show appreciation for their hard work. With a strong, empowered team behind you, there’s no limit to what your business can achieve.

For a more in-depth discussion on how to empower the people in your organisation, contact us today and one of our specialist consultants will get in touch with you.