Allowing your employees to gain autonomy within the workplace can create a cohesive, united team, according to uschamber.com. Giving employees more freedom can generate creative solutions among team members; lead to better productivity; and lead to lower employee turnover and higher brand loyalty for your business.
Following are ways to balance managing employees and giving them more freedom in the workplace.
- Allow employees to share ideas. Great leaders understand that managers do not necessarily always have the best solution. Employees working within the daily operations find ways to execute their tasks more efficiently and effectively. When employees have a safe space to share feedback and ideas, it will create a more positive work environment and increased collaboration.
- Offer flexibility. Allow your employees to be involved in creating their work schedules. You can start by asking your employees what shift they prefer to work or which days they would like to take off. Advocating for work-life balance will lead to more employee loyalty.
- Let employees set their own professional goals. When they have more freedom over their work life and career path, employees will come to work ready to do their best. Ask your employees about their goals and fully support them as they grow professionally.
- Manage each employee with a unique approach. Everyone’s work style is unique. Get to know how your employees work and determine the best management style for each of them. For example, those who work best independently should be managed differently than those who thrive during collaboration.
- Lead with respect and trust. Treat employees as equals by demonstrating mutual respect and trust rather than micromanaging. This can create a positive work environment that feels free rather than restrictive.
- Learn what roadblocks your employees are facing. Check in with employees about challenges and concerns and listen to them when they come to you with a problem. Be open to making changes. Just because something has always been done a certain way does not mean it still is the best process to follow.
