Are you an Approachable Boss?

How approachable is your upper management?

If there is a gap between employees and management that can mean a lack of communication; and communication is one of the most important things within an organization. As soon as communication ceases to exist between employees and management, the company will stop functioning properly.

Allowing open communication and having management that is approachable can help the company prosper. When employees don’t feel heard they tend to feel undervalued. And people who feel unimportant are less likely to work efficiently and effectively. Don’t allow for any underlining resentment and keep things from being pushed under the rug. If something goes wrong within an organization you want to know about it before it has time fester and get worse. And if employees are afraid to speak up then all sorts of problems will never get solved, and cause more issues to pile on top of the ones already present.

When there is good communication between employees and management, problems are solved and work is accomplished. That’s why working on developing relationships with your employees can only benefit you. Being accessible is a necessity within a company.

Here are some ideas to be more approachable to your employees.

• Smile! Even something as small as smiling and being pleasant when you’re walking through the office can invite open communication.

• Open Up and talk with your employees. Ask your employees for their opinions and try to explain to them what your plans are. Don’t keep everyone in the dark because. Trust builds trust.

• Watch your body language. Does your posture welcome conversation? For example, standing with your arms crossed is like standing behind a wall. Be open!

• Try approaching others. Instead of always calling people in, maybe try going to them every once in a while. Sitting behind your desk in your huge chair can make you seem intimidating. Try standing on common ground.

• Take interest in your employees. Simple things like making note of birthdays or special events in someone’s life can show that you don’t just think of them as a number but a person.

• Build employee confidence. Instead of going out of your way to point out wrong doings, try pointing out the accomplishments.

• Be confident, not cocky. Yes, you’re the boss but that doesn’t mean you know it all. It’s important to be confident in making decisions, but don’t forget that sometimes others can see things you might miss. Be humble and listen, to what others have to say.

• Respect your employees. You might be the boss, but that doesn’t mean you’re superior in the eyes of your employees. If you want respect, earn it.

As upper management, making a constant effort to be approachable and communicate with your employees is extremely important. Take a look at your approachability and see just how much of a difference you can make when it comes to the success of your company.