Biz Coach Steve

Tag: employee

  • Are your employees set up for Success?

    Are your employees set up for Success?

    “Employee engagement” is a catchall term, not to mention an endlessly marketable consulting concept.  Many business owners are skeptical about their own “employees’ engagement.”

    According to Gallup, when employee engagement is properly measured, engagement extends beyond an assessment of how happy your employees are on the job.  It also reveals whether that happiness manifests itself into superior performance.

    So, how do you know if you have “engaged employees?”

    Here are 12 simple indicators of an engaged employee.  Ideal employees will state these indicators are true. If your employees believe these indicators are false, then you have work to do.

    1. I know what is expected of me at work.  Many employees think they are doing what is expected of them, which may or may not be the case. Have you sat down with them and detailed out what you expect of them?
    • I have the materials and equipment I need to do my work right.  Some employees have to duct tape things together for them to do their job. Are you providing them the proper materials and equipment so they can succeed?
    • At work, I have the opportunity to do what I do best every day. What opportunities are you providing your employees to shine and be the best?
    • In the past seven days, I have received recognition or praise for good work. I would bet many employers or managers have not praised any of their employees in quite some time.
    • My supervisor, or someone at work, seems to care about me as a person. Do you know your employees?  Know about their goals and personal life.
    • There is someone at work who encourages my development. Who is the champion in your business that encourages others to develop themselves professionally and personally?
    • At work, my opinions seem to count.  Are you listening to your employees, or just nodding your head yes when they talk to you, then ignore what they said?
    • The mission or purpose of my company makes me feel my job is important.  What is the mission or purpose of the company? Is the staff behind that mission?
    • My associates or fellow employees are committed to doing quality work. Do you have that toxic or bad apple in the organization? They could be dragging down the good employees.
    1. I have a best friend at work.  Have you ever asked to find out if this is true?
    1. In the past six months, someone at work has talked to me about my progress. When was the last time you had a 1-on-1 meeting with your staff and discussed their progress? Most companies do this once a year which is a travesty.
    1. In the past year, I have had opportunities at work to learn and grow. What opportunities are you providing your employees to learn and grow? Those employers that provided growing opportunities have long-term successful employees.

    These are simple indicators to address employees’ primary needs. How they contribute to the entire operation of the business. If they feel valued or not. Do they fit into the organization? Are you as the owner developing them for the future?

    How engaged are your employees?

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    Steve Feld, MBA, Certified Business Coach, Author, provides training and business performance coaching to business owners, professionals, and executives. Steve also speaks to organizations, conducts workshops, and training.  Focusing on lead generation and revenue creation to get growth results for the business.

    Contact Biz Coach Steve today to see how he can assist you to get the results you want in your business, [email protected], or www.bizcoachsteve.com. He is in the business of growing businesses. Need a speaker, contact Steve today.

    #bizcoachstevef #entrepreneur #smallbusiness #business #smallbiz #coaching #businessowner #businesscoach #leadership #marketing #speaking #keynotespeaker #meetingprofs #eventprofs #meetingstoday #businesscoachnearme

  • 8 Signs an Employee Is Exceptional

    We can all spot a great employee: she’s dependable, proactive, hardworking, a great leader, and a great follower. She brings a wide variety of easily defined attributes, but they also have some hard to find soft skills to the table.

    Some employees, though, are exceptional. They have skills and qualities that aren’t evaluated on performance appraisals but make a huge impact on that individual’s performance, the performance of the people around her, and especially on the company’s results.

    Here are eight signs an employee is truly exceptional:

    1. They think beyond job descriptions: The smaller the company, the more important it is that employees can think on their feet, adapt quickly to shifting priorities, and do whatever it takes, regardless of role or position, to get things done.

    When a key customer’s project is in jeopardy, exceptional employees know without being told there’s a problem, and they jump in without being asked, even if–especially if–it’s not their job.

    2. They’re quirky: The best employees are often a little different: a little eccentric, sometimes irreverent, even delighted to be unusual. They seem slightly odd, but in a really good way. Unusual personalities shake things up, make work more fun, and transform a plain-vanilla group into a team with flair and flavor.

    People who aren’t afraid to be different naturally stretch boundaries and challenge the status quo, and they often come up with the best ideas.

    3. They know when to rein in their individuality: An unusual personality is a lot of fun–right up until the moment it isn’t. When a major challenge pops up or a situation gets stressful, the best employees stop expressing their individuality and fit seamlessly into the team.

    Exceptional employees know when to play and when to be serious; when to be irreverent and when to conform; and when to challenge and when to back off.

    It’s a tough balance to strike, and a rare few can walk that fine line with ease.

    4. They praise other people in public: Praise from a boss feels good. Praise from a peer feels awesome, especially when you look up to that person.

    Exceptional employees recognize the contributions of others, especially in group settings where the impact of their words is even greater.

    5. They disagree in private: We all want employees to bring issues forward, but some problems are better handled in private. Great employees often get more latitude to bring up controversial subjects in a group setting because their performance allows greater freedom.

    Exceptional employees come to you before or after a meeting to discuss a sensitive issue, knowing that bringing it up in a group setting could set off a firestorm.

    6. They ask questions when others won’t: Some employees are hesitant to speak up in meetings. Some are even hesitant to speak up privately.

    An employee once asked me a question about potential layoffs. After the meeting I said to him, “Why did you ask about that? You already know what’s going on.” He said, “I do, but a lot of other people don’t, and they’re afraid to ask. I thought it would help if they heard the answer from you.”

    Exceptional employees have an innate feel for the issues and concerns of those around them and step up to ask questions or raise important issues when others hesitate.

    7. They are self-motivated: Self-motivation often springs from a desire to show that doubters are wrong. The woman without a college degree or the man who was told he didn’t have leadership potential often possesses a burning desire to prove other people wrong.

    Education, intelligence, talent, and skill are important, but drive is critical. Exceptional employees are driven by something deeper and more personal than just the desire to do a good job.

    8. They’re constantly exploring: Some people are rarely satisfied (I mean that in a good way) and are constantly tinkering with something: reworking a timeline, adjusting a process, tweaking a workflow.

    Good employees follow processes. Great employees tweak processes. Exceptional employees find ways to reinvent processes, not just because they are expected to…but because they just can’t help themselves.

    How can you recognize these employees? Encourage them? Provide them with the resources and developmental skills they want?  Let that employee know they are doing a great job and support them. They are the ones to ask about your business and will help you grow your business.

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    Steve Feld, MBA, Certified Business Coach, Author, provides training and business performance coaching to business owners, professionals and executives. Steve also speaks to organizations, conducts workshops and training.  Focusing on the lead generation and revenue creation to get growth results for the business.

    Contact Biz Coach Steve today to see how he can assist you get the results you want in your business, [email protected], or www.bizcoachsteve.com. He is in the business of growing businesses. Need a speaker, contact Steve today.

    #bizcoachstevef #entrepreneur #smallbusiness #business #smallbiz #coaching #businessowner #businesscoach #leadership #marketing #speaking #keynotespeaker #meetingprofs #eventprofs #meetingstoday