Page 151 - How America's Best Places to Work Inspire Extra Effort in Extraordinary Times

138B RE-ENGAGE

takes hold. Schedule one-on-one time with key people to
remind them of their value to the team. Now more than
ever, know what motivates each employee.
: Strategically upgrade your staff. Understand and plan for fu-
ture staffing needs today, especially during recessions
when many talented people are in the job market.
: Challenge employees to step up. Communicate that success
or failure will be determined by how the team responds
under pressure. Get employees to commit to what they
will do each week to further the best interests of the busi-
ness. Reward suggestions from employees who have
ideas about making the business more efficient.
: Use humor whenever possible. One leader recently joked to
his team, “The good news is that our building is up to
the latest ADA standards and has complete wheelchair
access. I figure it will be handy when we’re still working
here in our 90s.” 5

: A CHECKLIST OF MANAGER BEST PRACTICES FOR
ALIGNING AND ENGAGING EMPLOYEES IN ALL TIMES

Though managers’ styles may differ and priorities may vary with busi-
ness objectives and market conditions, below are some of the practices,
based on our analysis, that Best Places to Work have in common. Check
those that you believe your organization is currently doing well, and
place an X next to those you believe you should be doing or doing
significantly better:

— Communicate clearly and realistically the full range of challenges fac-
ing all those who aspire to management positions and the seriousness
of their responsibility to build trusting relationships and keep their em-
ployees engaged.