Smart Employers Reward These Key Employee Traits

"Always treat your employees exactly as you want them to treat your best customers." -Stephen R. Covey

Revised from a 2019 Blog written by Janet I. Behm and Nate Hagerty.

Three-minute read.

I have seen that the healthiest businesses (and I am speaking FINANCIALLY) often share this ethos: "they must also invest in their employees, protect the environment and deal fairly and ethically with their suppliers"

TREATING EMPLOYEES WELL

And one of the ways that you can improve in this area, if you don't already, is getting proactive in noticing things about your team that many business owners don't necessarily pay attention to.

Here's what I mean...

When you go out of your way to reward an employee, it's easy to wonder: What do other employees think about this? And although jealousy is a possibility, rewarding team members can also motivate other employees to "level up" their performance to get on a similar track for growth.

To foster a culture built on growth and "raising the bar" for one another, it's essential to reward your employees with regularity and honesty. But it's equally important to do so on an objective basis.

REINFORCE BEHAVIORS YOU VALUE

Here are a few items to look out for when rewarding your employees. These are "soft skills" that don't necessarily show up in typical employee evaluations, but they are critical to building a healthy team. (Exactly what to reward them with is another conversation for another day. But get creative with it -- they will value the thought you put into those rewards.)

1. Employees Who Listen For -- And Act Upon -- Feedback

One of the most critical traits in a team member is an employee who listens and responds to your leadership. We've all seen what happens when you provide direction that isn't immediately adhered to, or when you repeat instructions continuously.

Instead, you can wave the flag of responsiveness by rewarding employees who are corrected -- and then respond positively to that correction.

2. Cost Cutters

If employees take active steps to save money for your organization, they should receive some form of reward or recognition. Such action shows they care enough about you and the business to save money for future growth. Recognizing this effort not only makes them feel valued but also reinforces their integral role in the company's success.

3. Culture Creators

If you have an employee who is always on time, shows up daily, is attentive to detail, and respects others in the process, you have a culture creator on your team. And you must reward that kind of behavior just as much as sales or production. This not only reinforces the importance of punctuality and respect in your company's culture but also makes the audience feel that these values are fundamental to their success.

4. Lifelong Learners

The best employees are the ones who aren't content with their current skill set. Are they talented with what they currently possess? Yes. But look to reward that hunger to grow and learn more—perhaps your reward is helping them in their journey to learn.

There are just a few examples of things to look out for when rewarding employees.

Again, this can be a FUN process. But it takes extra attention on your part. Don't get so caught up in your own day-to-day that you miss the valuable work others are doing to further the mission.

While your employees wouldn't be there without you, it's important to remember that you wouldn't grow without them.

I'm grateful for our chance to serve you and your business through these weekly blog posts.

BE THE ROAR not the echo ®

If you found this article helpful, please consider sharing it with a business associate or client who could also benefit from these insights.

Warmly, Janet, The Tax Wizard