The Best Strategies to Strengthen Manager-Employee Relationships

In any organization, the relationship between managers and employees is crucial for maintaining a productive and satisfied workplace. Poor relationships at the workplace can significantly affect employee performance and turnover. Positive relationships between managers and employees foster productivity and teamwork.

So, what do you need to have for an effective and productive workforce? We present these best strategies for HR teams and managers across each stage of the employee lifecycle:

Tricks for Improving Manager-Employee Relations for Long-Term Success

Begin with Onboarding

Developing a strong manager-employee relationship begins even before an employee’s first day at work. Within the hiring process, ensure managers have clear set role descriptions and that the new hires understand what their role requires, how the manager works, and what the manager expects from running their team, who they’ll work with on a day-to-day basis.

As a new hire enters into the onboarding phase, the manager plays a crucial role. They should start conversations on the right foot by laying the foundation for a strong relationship. Clearly outlining the new hire’s tasks and priorities and any training they will need.

Set SMART goals for new hires and schedule in-person meetings to discuss their progress and any roadblocks they may face. Keeping employees motivated and setting them up for success and increasing the chances that they are successful within your organization.

Communicate Well

Employee-manager relationships start with improving communication practices. Encouraging managers to communicate frequently and effectively will give employees the confidence and clarity they need.

To create engaged teams, managers must understand what keeps their employees motivated and what might be lacking, which would allow them to perform better. Develop open communication with each team, keep them informed about current projects, and provide resources to help them accomplish their goals.

Conduct Regular Performance Reviews and Give Feedback

Assessing your employees’ performance on a regular basis is crucial to their success within your organization. From the quality of work to productivity, reviews help identify your employees’ accomplishments and any areas for improvement.

When managers put their efforts in to executing regular performance reviews and providing helpful feedback, it creates a positive impact on employee performance and the overall organization’s success.

Focus on Employee Career Growth

Managers should set separate times (not during the performance reviews) for career development discussions. Speak to each employee about their career goals and future plans, their ideas for the next 6 to 12 months, what they want to learn, and how they can improve. This is a great chance to suggest courses that they can take and provide help with projects to improve their skills.

Explain to your team what is expected of them at their current level and what they need to do to take their skills to the next level.

Implement Surveys and Get Feedback

Interact with employees and ask how they feel about the organization or current projects they are working on. Discovering if there are any challenges you can help with. This can be done through implementing employee engagement surveys or 1:1 meetings.

Truly connecting with your employees and gathering their feedback on business processes creates an improved work environment and provides them with a sense of ownership.

Create Strong Company Culture

To create an improved work environment, it is essential to interact with your team and connect with them personally and professionally. Acknowledge your employees’ personal lives – celebrate the dates that are important to them, like work and personal anniversaries, birthdays, and more. Always encourage employees to share their perspectives and insights, which helps build a collaborative and positive company culture.

Schedule One-to-One Meetings

Schedule regular meetings with employees to exchange ideas, resolve issues, and monitor progress with goals are all great way to start. These meetings will make employees feel more confident about seeking assistance and give managers better insight into their staff personalities and motivations.

Promote Better Work-Life Balance

The best way to make your team happy, healthy, and likely to stay with your organization is to be flexible and honest at all times. Ensure your employees know they do not always need to be available; they can take time off as needed, and their personal lives are always valued.

Refrain from bothering them with late-night or weekend emails. Allow them to work remotely whenever possible. If your team has stayed late all week to complete a project, allow them to leave a little early on Friday afternoon. Allow employees to work remotely when possible. Your employees will appreciate it, and it will encourage them to work hard on the next project as well.

Final Thought

Empowering managers to connect with their employees is crucial for the business’s survival and success. A healthy relationship between a manager and their employees creates a positive work environment for everyone, making employees feel happy and satisfied at work.