There is a difference between supervisors and real leaders. Supervisors simply manage their employees, making sure they accomplish their daily tasks and follow the organization’s rules and regulations. A business leader, while being responsible for the workload, also makes it a priority to empower employees to advance in their careers. Entry-level staff members greatly benefit from an invested manager who promotes their strengths, helps them work on their weaknesses, and provides them with career-related advice. There are specific ways a manager can empower entry-level employees to succeed.
Setting Objectives and Giving Feedback
In order for your employees to thrive, they need to clearly understand what is expected of them. Instead of just delineating daily tasks, include your staff in the entire scope of the projects. Sit down and create concise and measurable objectives so that you and your subordinates are on the same page about what needs to get accomplished. Goals are important for four reasons:
- They provide guidance and direction.
- They aid in planning.
- They boost employee motivation.
- They help managers provide feedback.
Once clear goals have been established, managers must provide regular feedback so that employees know whether they are on track to meeting their goals or not. The only way your staff can grow in their positions is if you point out areas in which they need to improve, tell them what must be done to enhance their performance, and then explain whether they are meeting the previously set benchmarks or need to improve their skills.
Mentorship Programs
Mentorships usually pair an entry-level and a senior-level employee together so that the more experienced professional can provide advice, training and other resources to the newcomer so he or she can succeed not just in their current role, but in their career. An employee who is just starting out can greatly benefit from guidance from someone who has succeeded in the same industry, can share their network of contacts and can provide support.
Inc.com believes mentorship programs are “low-cost, yet high-quality, solutions” that show staff that management cares about them, result in better trained and engaged employees, and promote employee job satisfaction and loyalty.
Additional Education/ Training
When business leaders are truly invested in empowering their team to succeed, they should help staff advance their knowledge and skills so they can constantly grow in their positions and prepare for more senior roles. Offering paid education to your employees can be advantageous for both the organization and staff. Your business will benefit because employees will become more proficient in their industry and become better assets for the company by being more productive and efficient. In turn, the employees will be more loyal and satisfied with their job.
While larger companies can often finance their staff’s education at a college or university, smaller businesses may not be able to afford this. However, it may be possible to provide staff with other trainings or online courses that can advance their professional abilities, such as typing classes or communication workshops.
These are three of the ways that leaders can empower their team members to succeed instead of just overseeing their workload. When managers are invested in helping their employees grow, they’re in a better position to accomplish their goals and retain their staff.
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