Benefit 1 – You get to understand them better
Almost everyone wants to know that their manager is
genuinely and positively interested in them. They may not
always give that impression by their demeanour but trust me
– they want to know you care; they want acceptance from you.
If they know you care about them, then your relationship
will be much more productive.
Benefit 2 – You find out how they’re handling the job
As well as getting to know your team from a human or
personal basis you need to get to know them on a business
basis. How are they getting along with the job? And it’s not
a matter of asking – “How’s the job going?” If you ask that
then you may get a list of complaints or you may just get –
“It’s all going fine.”
Benefit 3 – It helps you deal with problems
One of the main benefits of spending time with your team is
that it lets them know you’re there to help with problems.
Of course, you’re not there necessarily to solve their
problems but to coach them to solve their problems.
Benefit 4 – They get to know you
Your team will want to know about you at both a personal and
business level. Again, that doesn’t mean sharing your
intimate thoughts but it’s similar to the things you want to
know about them.
Even although team members don’t ask you about yourself –
tell them. Reveal bits and pieces about yourself over a
period of time.
What you’re really saying is – “I’m human, I’m like you and
I experience the same situations.”
Benefit 5 – You have the opportunity to give them feedback
and coach them
This is one of the most important things the successful
manager can do. This is your opportunity to tell them the
things that you do like about their performance and also the
things you don’t like. Too often managers leave feedback
until a performance review and often these are only once or
twice a year.
Benefit 6 – They have the opportunity to give you feedback
Now this may make you feel a bit nervous and it certainly
can be scary when you’re not used to it but it is very
motivational. If you create a healthy open environment in
your team then they should feel comfortable giving feedback
to you. It may not always be what you want to hear but it
can certainly improve your relationship with them.
Benefit 7 – It encourages opinions and ideas to flow from
them
It’s often the case that members of your team have positive
suggestions that will benefit the team, the business and
you. However, they may not always be willing to seek you out
and tell you about them. Perhaps they may feel foolish or
embarrassed in front of their colleagues.
If you’re spending time with them – then this is the ideal
opportunity for them to give you their thoughts. Of course,
you sometimes have to dig this out and encourage it.
Benefit 8 – It allows you to explain the company’s mission
and the team’s role in this.
When you spend time with each individual it gives you the
opportunity to explain how the business is going and how the
team is performing. This is often done at a team brief and
that’s okay. However in a one to one situation you can
discuss in more depth and encourage ideas and feedback from
them as described above.
Discover how you can generate more business by motivating
your team!
Alan Fairweather is the author of “How to get More Sales
by Motivating Your Team” This book is packed with practical
things you can do to get the best out of your people.
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