Some managers worry so much about what they can’t say to employees that they shut up and limit their conversation to “Do this” and “Good job.” But you can’t run a workplace without active communication.
These useful phrases and questions can help enhance employee morale and productivity:
• “How can I help you with . . . ?” This doesn’t mean volunteering to do employees’ jobs for them. Just make sure they have the resources to do good work and remove any unnecessary obstacles.
• “Good work on _____.” The key is specificity. A generic “You rock!” doesn’t tell employees what to repeat. When you praise an employee’s work, point out exactly how it succeeded to reinforce the results.
• “I want your opinion on . . .” Asking employees what they think shows you trust their judgment and value their ideas. But don’t ask for input unless you’re willing to seriously consider it. If employees think you’re just pretending to be interested in their thoughts, they’ll stop sharing.
• “Thank you for ____.” Don’t take a “That’s their job” attitude. Show genuine appreciation for employees’ efforts. They’ll reward you with greater openness and loyalty.