Supercharge Your Company With a Team of Super Fans

If you want to know how to keep employees happy, you must first understand them. Getting to know your employees not only helps you place them in a position befitting their skills and disposition, but can also give you the information you need to reward them in ways that will inspire them the most. Create protocol for hiring, training and rewards and promotions that assesses an employee’s DISC profile (an employee’s dominance, influence, steadiness and conscientiousness) – categories derived from Dr. William Marston’s behavioral dimensions.

Dominance:

People who operate best when allowed to be direct, results-oriented, decisive and competitive are often skilled negotiators, problem-solvers, managers and leaders.

Influence:

People who are largely charming, enthusiastic, optimistic, persuasive and inspiring are “influencers” capable of working collaboratively with diverse teams.

Steadiness:

People who consistently exhibit traits like being understanding, team-minded, patient, stable and sincere are often dependable in managing or collaborating with others.

Conscientious:

People who are known for being analytical, diplomatic, precise, compliant and objective are valued as “work horses” in business due to their ability to remain objective on the job.

As a business owner, you must understand your business identity. What makes you “tick”? Depending on your skill set, talents and interests, you likely fall under one of the following categories more than the other: artist, manager or entrepreneur. By understanding yourself and your perspective, you’re better able to assess staff in a fair, accurate and non-judgmental manner.

A viable, long-lasting business is characterized by far more than just record profits. Embracing what makes employees happy means creating a workplace where all staff feel they’re part of something bigger. Successful companies are also categorized by a culture of innovation and excellence, inspired by visionary leadership. When employees know what they are working toward and are inspired, rather than dictated to, they’ll take pride in their work and you’ll get the ultimate outcome: employee happiness.

Research indicates that what makes employees happy at work requires something far less tangible than money: trust. Researchers measured the brain activity of people at work, and the results were clear: Trust in the workplace makes staff more productive, excited and innovative on the job. The study also found hormonal components in workplace trust. The brain chemical oxytocin facilitated trust, connection and generosity on the job, which generated employee contentment. Start with being open and honest with your team, truly listening to them and working on relationship-building with fun outings and collaborative brainstorming sessions. Trust builds naturally from there.

While high oxytocin facilitates trust, low oxytocin can decrease interstaff bonding on the job – and stress lowers oxytocin. As you learn how to keep employees happy, take every measure possible to minimize workplace stress so that employees can get their jobs done efficiently and without burnout. Promote work-life balance, encourage vacation days, create a collaborative environment, give clear direction and get your team the tools they need to do their jobs well. Stressed employees are not productive employees.

Your employees are human, and like any human, they want to feel appreciated. They want their contribution to the company to be celebrated. The best news for managers is that this part of how to make employees happy in the workplace doesn’t have to be complicated. Verbal acknowledgment, quick handwritten thank-you cards or an announcement at an all-company meeting go a long way toward making employees feel recognized.

Running a smooth-sailing business is one of the most rudimentary components of what makes employees happy in the workplace. Imagine sailing a ship without adequate supplies, technology or crew to keep the ship afloat. How long would you stick around? The scenario applies to modern businesses. When a company’s systems fail, decreasing productivity and overall job satisfaction, it’s likely (if not inevitable) that employees will look for more stable options. To ensure you really have happy employees, make sure all your business operations run smoothly. Then, and only then, can you achieve lasting business growth.