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Want better relationships at work? Find out how

Last updated on: July 18, 2017 10:59 IST

These simple tips will help you achieve a productive work environment.

Work life

Companies always find themselves trapped in one of the most enigmatic questions -- how to make better employee-employer relationships for increasing productivity?

The problem isn't about the fine difference between personal or professional life, but the way of thinking and considering official work as a monotonous or enjoyable one.

A lot depends on the office environment in which a team is formed.

Everyone should consider their work as their own, the extension of themselves, and not as regular office work.

Then, it finally boils down to the tools or ways which employers can opt for, in order to make sure that employees are enjoying their work, contributing as per their abilities and in sync with the requirement of the company, and overall increasing their productivity.

Try out these following contemporary methods, which will surely help in building a strong relationship between the employees and employers.

1. Know your employees

Richard Branson has rightly said, 'Take care of your employees, and your employees will take care of your customers.'

It fits well with all companies, whether it's a small one or a multinational giant.

Knowing the employees will help in getting deeper insights of their abilities. This approach has always helped in getting the best output.

Regular meetings-cum-informal-conversations, which help employees to open up, must be arranged frequently.

Employees should always be made to feel like they are at home.

They must enjoy their work and be ready to take initiatives along with respecting their superiors and managers.

2. Quizzes

It may seem odd, but it has proved its significance earlier and can be used as an effective tool to engage employees.

This way, one can increase their knowledge base and using that knowledge, they can participate in various quizzing competitions organised specifically for corporates and bring accolades to the company.

It will also help in bringing the respective company in the limelight and making their foothold strong among competitors.

3. Team outings

In every company, the effective working of a team is a pre-requisite for the success of a project.

For that, each member of the team must know each other, must be aware about everyone's capabilities and what they are good at.

This can be achieved by organising a social gathering or planning a team-outing to some exquisite places, in order to enable them in having a life-changing and mood-refreshing experience, and at the same time, they will get to know each other on a more personal level.

It will help them bond and consider themselves as family.

4. Sports and cultural activities

No activity can be more productive than a sport in forming a capable, effective and energetic group of people, who can always be ready to face challenges and take the initiative whenever required.

Sports help people inculcate important skills such as sportsmanship, leadership qualities, team management, team work, strategy alignment, priority management, etc.

Cultural activities involving dance, music and creative arts help people understand the culture and tradition of other employees and also gain information about the places they come from.

All these tools not only engage the employees and employers in a friendly environment, but also implant an inner sense of responsibility and belongingness.

It helps in the all-round development of their mind and body, making them agile, enthusiastic, happy and optimistic.

5. Effective training

The tools mentioned here are not in any particular order of importance.

However, the ones above must be followed first, because until and unless employees feel connected with the company, they will not be able to benefit from the training given to them.

Effective training in a well-constructed manner and on a regular basis is a must to cater to the needs of the company.

It helps to ensure that all employees are equipped with the necessary weapons to destroy any blockage in their path of completing the project before the deadline.

It is necessary on behalf of the employees to pay attention to whatever is being taught and on behalf of employers, to make sure the whole training isn't boring or mundane and must encompass all the necessary things needed by the employees.

Also, providing feedback about their work regularly, giving importance to everyone's suggestions before making the final call, acknowledging their contributions, valuing their opinions and provision of incentives, must also be kept in mind to form a lasting relationship in order to increase productivity by many folds.

Lead photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters

Rohit Gupta