What Happens When Your Staff Are Not on Your Side?

The other day, I got a call from a friend.  He runs a restaurant in another state and he asked me my advice.

“I have a restaurant full of people who are going behind my back and calling my supervisor to rat me out,” he told me in confidence.

I thought about that all day.  The problem here is team building.  How do you get your team on your side?  Here are some tips:

• Make sure to give your staff a yearly or bi-annual evaluation.  At that time, tell the person your observations and ask for his/her opinion as to how well he/she is doing his/her job.  Also, ask the employee for feedback on your role.  How can you become a better supervisor?

• If a staff member “rats” you out, confront that person.  Ask that person why he/she would do that and not discuss with you first.

• Take your staff members on a retreat out of your place of business.  If you don’t have a day or two to spend with them off site, consider hosting a dinner party at your home.  Try to connect on a personal level.

• When you see your staff after a weekend, ask them how their weekend was.  Make them feel like they are important to you and that you care about them.

• Let them know that you appreciate them.  This is key.  Everyone wants to feel appreciated from time to time and it’s important to let them know that you think they are doing a good job.

• Remember, come in with a smile on your face and give off positive energy.

• Finally, don’t be afraid to give constructive criticism.

You set the tone for your staff.  If you are unhappy, unappreciative and don’t really care about them, they will sense this.  As soon as you make the change, you will see that things will improve.

If you have any other thoughts, please share below.