Expert Jason Greer on How Leaders Can Improve Relationships With Their Employees

Jason Greer is often referred to as the “Employee Whisperer.” He has given impeccable insights and solutions for companies to ensure that they are retaining employees and that companies are achieving their very best out of all their workers and systems. He is an expert in his field and has offered numerous companies advice. With his expertise, you can learn just exactly how leaders can create well oiled, professional employee relationships to help drive companies forwards in the direction of their goals.

During uncertain times over the past few months, COVID-19 has posed many threats among businesses and has diminished the trust between some employees and their leaders. How? This may have occurred from a lack of communication over the new steps that leaders are undertaking to make their offices safe and workable once again. Disrupt caught up with Jason last week to get his thoughts.

Employees Come First Now More Than Ever

It is fair to say that the disruption caused by COVID is something that few if any businesses could have ever forecasted. COVID and the business community’s response to the pandemic have changed everything, regardless of the industry. But the one thing that has stayed consistent is the fact that human beings are still driving business results. To that end, it is very important for leaders to be extra vigilant as it relates to their employees.

His messages are very clear, there are four vital elements when combating the fear that COVID has spread among the workplace.

Jason advises four simple steps:

• Empathy
• Listen
• Put the technology away
• Honesty

He created these four vital concepts to assist both parties in adjusting to a new life away from the normal routine. The new normal within the workplace may mean, staggered starting times, less communal spaces to use, socially distancing in the office whilst maintaining excellent communication. Empathy is vital to ensure that your employees are not feeling disgruntled or unable to commit. 

Put yourself inside their shoes, use empathy, check-in with them, and really key in on what they are and are not saying. Let them know that although the environment has changed your belief in them has not.

By allowing yourself to appreciate the fundamental fears of employees is going to allow you to create better solutions, whilst remaining in control of a difficult situation. What needs to change in the office? Do you need to implement stricter safety measurements to cater to your employees and will this make them feel safer and ready to return? This is why Jason’s step two is incredibly important. Listening to what your staff needs, gives you an overview of the situation and allows you to troubleshoot effectively. 

Maybe they have new ideas they want to kick around with you or maybe they simply want to vent about a customer, product, or something else. Let them know that you are available and more importantly that you value what they have to say. Often employees have a bigger insight into the minute workings of a company more than the leader does. This is because they have immersed themselves within the work and have encountered the issues numerous times. This is going to be vital when you are making those all-important changes for a more dynamic and productive business. 

Jason’s third point looks at a novel concept that may seem foreign to some business leaders, however, he has faultlessly described the reasons behind it. Stay away from technology. 

One of the most consistent things that I hear is that people are busier than they’ve ever been because we are literally tied to our technology as a means of communicating. While it is great that we live in a technologically driven world the sad reality is that we are often distracted by the very tools that keep us connected. So if you are meeting with your team via Zoom, or you are meeting one on one, make a point of putting your phone away and not responding to the million pop-ups that are bombarding your computer screen.

This is a vital step in order to pay attention to your employees. The method in which you do this can have a bigger impact on both parties. Maintaining excellent attention throughout is going to ensure that you can work effectively to combat any worries and make changes. Honesty is an impeccable quality that leaders must undertake if they want to offer their employees a secure and professional working environment.

Which leads well onto Jason’s fourth and final point.

Honesty. A quality that often drives any business relationship forward. These difficult times have proven detrimental to businesses. More and more people are losing their jobs or they are being demoted. Jason understands that this is going to greatly affect morale within a company and that new tactics will be needed to combat this issue. 

Perhaps your staff is feeling insecure and outright scared about the current professional and business landscape and they are looking to you for clarity and support. It is okay to be honest with them. In fact, they need your honesty. He encourages honesty that allows employees to speak out and say “Yes, I am scared. Yes, I have my doubts, but what I do know is that I am here with you. These sentiments massively contribute to moving forwards when a leader has an understanding attitude with empathy.

All four of Jason’s points merge seamlessly together and his expertise has proven beneficial in numerous businesses.