Protecting your Employees will allow Innovation

Innovation is a must in today’s environment.  However, all too often companies will stifle the creativity of their employees out of fear.  Therefore, there are some things that a company can adhere to in order to get the best out of their team.

The best bosses are committed to letting their workers work.  Whether on creative tasks such as inventing new products or on routine things such as assembling computers, making McDonald’s burgers, or flying planes. They take pride in being human shields, absorbing or deflecting heat from inside and outside the company, doing all manner of boring and silly tasks, and battling idiots and slights that make life harder than necessary on their people.

As a manager or boss, protecting your team’s back is important.  You must try to resist your worst instincts.  Meetings are necessary at times; however, they can also be huge time wasters.  Often, many bosses set on self-glorification often run these meetings and it can cause a morale deficiency.

Arguments over ideas are productive and creative.  The best bosses allow for constructive battles enabling their team to feel safe to speak their minds.  This goes across the board all the way to the leaders.  Actually, good fights or battles will be built on mutual trust.

Some companies are implementing programs to reduce interruptions and distractions.  Good bosses also relieve people of burdensome organizational practices.  Unnecessary paperwork or processes should be limited.  Sometimes good bosses face senior leaders and powerful groups that cram bad ideas down everyone’s throat. When your people’s performance or well-being is threatened by idiocy from on high, you need to decide whether to comply or resist, depending on what will help them—and you—most. Sometimes the political costs of defiance are too high, and sometimes seemingly idiotic directives turn out to be useful.  That said, defiance can occasionally be the best strategy.

Good bosses focus their people’s effort on what matters most. When relatively trivial demands can’t be ignored, the best option is sometimes to do a quick, crummy job and move on to more-crucial issues.  Also, good bosses also protect their people from demeaning, overly demanding, and frustrating clients and customers.  In short, they will take the heat.  Good bosses shield their employees from distress and distraction in diverse ways, whether behind the scenes or publicly. They work day after day to enhance their self-awareness; stay in tune with followers’ worries, hot buttons, and quirks; and foster a climate of comfort and safety. They also learn to identify which battles their people consider crucial to fight, and which they see as unimportant. When bosses can’t protect people—for example, from layoffs, pay cuts, or tough assignments—the best ones convey compassion, do small things to allay fears, and find ways to blunt negative consequences. Operating in this way helps bolster your people’s performance and well-being. And a nice by-product is that they will have your back, too.

It is good to have a partner that is an expert in utilizing the most advance resources available today.  Questco is there to help you inspire your labor force through a plethora of HR Services such as: Payroll Services, Benefit Plans, Benefits Administration, HR Technology and Workers’ Comp & Safety Services.  Utilizing Questco’s vast experience, your company can thrive in today’s environment.

Charlie Reeves, Senior Business Development Manager, has decades of experience in Human Resource Solutions.  He is one of the most senior members at Questco and recognized for helping clients of all sizes save money, improve labor efficiency and provide the strongest support for HR Services.  As an entrepreneurs himself, he has lived the long days and sleepless nights on the road to success.  He brings the skill and scale to support you in the pursuit of your goals.  For more information on payroll services, benefit plans, benefits administration, HR technology, workers’ comp and safety services email Charlie.Reeves@questco.net or contact him directly at 936.521.5841.