What makes for a happy workplace? Is it state-of-the art facilities, ongoing training opportunities, extra vacation days, or simply a rewarding salary? After working with leaders of real estate companies for nearly 20 years, and in my position of leadership as Buffini & Company’s CEO, I have learned that all of these factors can impact job satisfaction, but the difference between a company where employees are engaged and energized and one where they’re unmotivated and lackluster comes down to one main ingredient—feeling appreciated.
The No. 1 reason that people quit their jobs is because they feel under-valued. Work gives a sense of identity and purpose, but if employees believe they’re not being adequately acknowledged or championed, negativity develops.
When workers are unhappy, staff turnover rates are high, customer satisfaction is adversely affected, and a firm’s reputation and profits suffer. When employees are content, it’s a different story. They’ll do the very best job they can day after day, which means that customers will be pleased, morale will soar, and the business will thrive.
So, how can you create the sort of workplace where employees are ready and willing to go the extra mile? First, it’s vital to know each team member’s individual strengths and capabilities. At Buffini & Company, each one of our team members receives a Heritage Profile, an outline of their natural strengths, abilities and work styles. This allows our leadership team to communicate with and motivate each person in a way unique to their particular personality. This also allows those in leadership roles to more appropriately assign tasks and projects to individuals based on their strengths.
In addition, you must ensure that they’re consistently and genuinely recognized and respected for the work they do and the contribution they make. This process may mean asking some tough questions of yourself and your management style.
We’ve tried to be very intentional about our communication practices at Buffini & Company by doing “Lunch & Learns” with each team to discover more about their individual roles and how we might help them perform at a higher level. Additionally, we have initiated a program where individuals can submit ideas about how we, as a company, can “Do It Better.” During each staff meeting, we recognize the people who have had their ideas implemented and reward them with gift cards. These are similar to the practices we teach Team Leaders who are in our One2One Coaching membership to implement.
It’s not an easy task to achieve. It takes a lot of hard work to earn the respect, support and trust of your team. But if you’re true to your word, encourage open dialogue, foster growth and celebrate achievement, an atmosphere of honesty, trust and fairness will be the result.
It’s a simple premise: Take care of your employees first and then the kind of happy work environment in which everyone can flourish and win will be created.
Dermot Buffini is CEO of Buffini & Company, North America’s largest real estate coaching and training company, which has helped over three million sales professionals in 37 different countries improve their business, increase net profit and enhance their quality of life since its founding in 1996. For more information, visit www.buffiniandcompany.com or call 1-800-945-3485 ext. 4.
