Consider these five areas to let your team know you care

I often present on bringing value to others. What about some of the people closest to us — how do we bring value to our office teams? An August 2022 McKinsey & Company article (bit.ly/McKinseynursestudy ) sheds light on the subject. It reveals that when nurses consider a change in positions, they pay attention to five factors: a safe environment, work–life balance, caring and trusting teammates, doing meaningful work, and a flexible work schedule. Note that compensation and the potential for advancement are conspicuously absent from this list.

These five factors, which are reflected in other roles and industries as well, should be key areas of focus for all leaders, according to Inspirus, a human resources company, in its recent “Employee Engagement Trends & Forecasts” report (bit.ly/inspirusemployeeengagement .)

As leaders, consider these examples of ways to focus on the five key areas:

1 A SAFE ENVIRONMENT

A safe environment is not only danger-free, but also one in which your team feels respected. Demonstrations of respect are the same as they would be for our patients: Listen to their concerns, thank them for their accomplishments, and find ways to make their job easier.

2 WORK-LIFE BALANCE

Work-life balance can mean different things to different people. Address this by asking your team what stresses them out, what makes them feel unaccomplished, and what they are struggling to live without.

3 CARING AND TRUSTING TEAM

We cannot force teammates to trust and care about each other. To gain these qualities, we must hire the right people, let go of the wrong ones, and find time to let our teammates bond in non-work-related situations.

4 MEANINGFUL WORK

What could be more meaningful than helping people to see not only today, but for a lifetime? Here, our job is to draw the line for each team member from the job they do, to the meaning their job brings. For example, does your front desk team know that their smile sets the stage for the patient experience in the office? Do your clinical technicians understand that their patient conversations help patients to relax and feel confident that they have chosen the right place for their eye care?

5 A FLEXIBLE WORK SCHEDULE

When staff shortage issues became a reality for us, we decided we were going to cut back on hours. We gave our team Friday afternoons off, and they were extremely grateful. Now, they can take care of daytime appointments, or go on a long weekend retreat, or just have a little more time to unwind.

INVOLVE YOUR TEAM

One challenge is that the ideas that resonate with us may differ from those that resonate with our teams. So, to best learn what areas to emphasize, welcome your team into the conversation. Schedule a brainstorming session to discuss what they want. If we don’t involve the team, we are likely to put our money and our efforts into all the wrong places.

For me, to love my team, I must talk to them, listen to them, and let them know I care.

And don’t forget that you not only have an office team, but also a home team. Do the same for them, and you will see the happiness level jump up several notches. OM

Email: april.jasper@pentavisionmedia.com

Twitter: @DrAprilJasper

Facebook: @OptometricManagement