As workplace dynamics evolve, it’s important to recognize how your employees’ needs are changing. Have you observed any shifts in their work patterns recently? If you want to implement effective performance management strategies, begin by understanding your employees’ needs and engaging in open communication. Here’s what you need to know to boost workplace efficiency. 

2023 Workplace Trends to Navigate 

Employee needs have changed, but some leaders think that businesses should stick to more traditional work setups. Here are three trends that leaders need to observe and discuss with their employees to successfully manage a thriving workforce. 

Employee Engagement Continues to Slump 

Declining employee engagement is causing widespread disruptions in workplaces worldwide. Workers are reevaluating their careers and even contemplating major career changes. Meanwhile social media platforms are flooded with frustrations and stories of employees quiet quitting or being let go. 

Employee engagement plays a vital role in fostering development, morale, productivity, and retention within any business. Engaged employees exhibit greater enthusiasm for their work and are fully invested in contributing to the company’s success. Over time, these individuals tend to outperform their less-engaged counterparts and remain committed to the organization. 

In 2022, employee engagement in the US experienced a decline. Gallup reports that only 32 percent of employees remain engaged, with a mere 17 percent actively engaged. If your workforce is facing similar levels of disengagement, it can significantly impact their productivity and overall results.¹ 

Hybrid work revolutionized the way people work, allowing employees to split their time between the office and remote locations. However, this new dynamic introduced complexities in the employer-employee relationship, as some leaders insist on full on-site work. It’s important to remember that work setups are diverse, and workplaces are evolving. 

Around 56 percent of full-time US employees have the capability to work remotely, with approximately half of them currently engaged in hybrid arrangements. Meanwhile, 20 percent continue to work exclusively on-site. Interestingly, only percent of remote-capable workers express a desire to return to full on-site work. 

Despite certain leaders’ preferences, flexible work arrangements are here to stay. Nearly one-third of hybrid workers and six out of ten fully remote employees claim they would actively look for new opportunities if their current employer eliminates flexible remote work setups in the future. It’s clear that adaptability is key to retaining employees in today’s evolving work landscape. 

Burnout and Mental Health Struggles Diminish Productivity 

There are undeniable reasons why quiet quitting happens in workplaces. Employers need to be mindful of their employees’ well-being as three out of 10 US employees admitted they are burned out always or very often. 

Meanwhile, four out of 10 employees realized their jobs had negatively impacted on their mental health in the last six months. Individuals with fair or poor mental health missed nearly five times as many workdays as those who felt good about their mental well-being. 

On top of this, employees are quickly losing faith in their employers. Only 24 percent of them are strongly agreeing their employer cares about their well-being.²  

Boost Efficiency at Work: What Leaders Can Do 

Caring for your employees can boost their productivity. Discuss with them what adjustments you can make in the workplace to increase efficiency. 

1. Encourage Task Delegation to Prioritize Quality 

Prioritizing quality and improved results can make your business a success. However, individually shouldering all tasks can be inefficient and time-consuming. It’s essential to explore avenues for the growth of your business by empowering your employees to take charge of their responsibilities. 

Delegate tasks to employees who you think have the right skills for the tasks and trust that they will perform them well. This approach allows them to develop new skills, refine existing ones, and gain valuable leadership experience. Entrusting them leadership responsibilities not only benefits their personal growth but contributes to your business’ success. Allow them to prove to you right in employing them through this. 

2. Match Employee Skills to Their Tasks 

Understanding the way your employees work, including their behavior and skills, is essential to making the most of their efficiency. For example, an innovative, out-of-the-box thinker would be great at coming up with new ideas and strategies, but they may struggle with mundane tasks. 

Before assigning a task, assess its suitability for the employee. Engage in open communication to gather their perspective. If both of you agree that the assignment isn’t the best fit, consider reassigning it to someone better suited for the role. 

To find out what your employees will be good at and how they can best contribute to your team, consider tests like the CliftonStrengths. Tests like these determine whether they will be good at ideating, adapting, and other qualities that can help them thrive in the workplace and improve productivity.  

3. Effectively Communicate with Employees 

Effective communication at work is key to efficiency. The way you speak to people can affect how they see you as a leader, the significance of their work, and their value as an employee. To ensure successful communication, you must prioritize healthy interactions both internally and externally. 

However, even though effective communication is important, another Gallup study shows that only 7 percent of US employees strongly believe that communication is open, timely, and accurate in their workplace. ² To be truly effective, you must strive to communicate promptly, accurately, purposefully. In doing so, you can cultivate an environment where open communication thrives.  

4. Set Clear Work Goals 

Clear goals can effectively guide employees in accomplishing their projects. Being transparent and specific with these goals also ensures that they’ll have achievable benchmarks. 

As a leader, it’s important to effectively communicate your expectations to your team. Be specific on how you want them to behave and perform. When they understand your expectations, they can improve work efficiency.  

5. Recognize Their Hard Work Through Incentives 

Make work more fun and engaging through incentives and gamification techniques. This fosters team building or friendly competition that makes work hours more thrilling. You can encourage individual or team participation. 

Once you’ve devised a game, such as a competition to create the most captivating presentation, reward the winner. Consider incentives like a complimentary meal, a gift card, a “Lazy Monday” coupon, or an extended lunch break. Collaborate with your team to identify tasks they would find enjoyable as part of a game and determine rewards they would appreciate. 

6. Consider Automating Repetitive Tasks 

Repetitive tasks often consume valuable time that could be allocated to more critical responsibilities. Implementing automation allows you and your team to focus on more crucial matters. 

For instance, in customer service, chatbots can handle general inquiries. This enables customer service agents to concentrate on addressing urgent needs and handling frustrated customers. 

7. Develop Skills Through Employee Training 

Implementing training programs demonstrates your commitment to your employees’ growth and skill refinement. But training doesn’t necessarily have to be expensive. 

You can begin by providing coaching sessions to individual employees when you have available time, or schedule regular training sessions for the entire team. Engage with your employees to identify areas for improvement or explore new industry trends they wish to learn together. 

Related Reading: Fueling Success: The Importance of Cultivating Employee Pride in Their Work and Company 

8. Allow Remote or Flexible Setups at Work 

Allowing remote work setups gives your exhausted or disengaged employees the space to work their best and at their most comfortable. Their work efficiency may increase because they wouldn’t have to exhaust themselves to go to work. They will have more time to rest and think about tasks assigned to them. They can also have the emotional support their loved ones or pets can provide when they feel down. 

Meanwhile, flexible schedules will allow them to manage their energy and responsibilities. Some people work best at night, while some in the morning. Implementing flexible schedules helps them find a routine and schedule that works best for their body clock and enhances employee efficiency in the process.  

9. Encourage Reciprocal Feedback 

Offering constructive feedback to your employees helps guide their growth by highlighting areas for improvement and acknowledging their strengths. Timely recognition should be given when they excel and address shortcomings when they fall short of expectations. 

Similarly, it’s vital to receive feedback from your employees to enhance your own effectiveness. They may possess insights you lack and would be eager to assist you in refining your work. In seeking feedback, your team can eliminate roadblocks and enhance their overall efficiency. 

Your Employees’ Needs are Your Company’s Needs 

It’s important to understand what your employees need to increase work productivity and obtain better results. Ask them about what they are struggling with and praise them for what they have accomplished exceptionally. Improve employee productivity by showing them that it’s okay to ask for help and to rest when needed. 

CONNECT WITH EFFICIENT PEOPLE WITH RASO360 

If you’re looking for more people to help boost your teams’ productivity, Raso360 is here to help you accelerate your business by sourcing the right people. 

Learn more about our services in Staff Leasing, Staff Augmentation, Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO), and more by getting in touch with us today. 

References 

1. Wigert, Ben, and Ryan Pendell. “6 Trends Leaders Need to Navigate This Year.” Gallup, 31 Jan. 2023, www.gallup.com/workplace/468173/workplace-findings-leaders-need-navigate-year.aspx 

2. Robison, Jennifer. “Communicate Better With Employees, Regardless of Where They Work.” Gallup, 28 Jun. 2021, www.gallup.com/workplace/351644/communicate-better-employees-regardless-work.aspx