Why Business Leaders Should Ask Employees for Input

As a business leader, your business’s continued success is a constant concern. However, you can only do so much. If you are like most business leaders, your attention is divided between vendor concerns, sales, managing cash flow, taxes, and countless other issues. When a business leader’s time is spread so thinly, it is easy to overlook areas that need improvement.

One massive resource that you may be overlooking is your employees. Your staff are probably well aware of what is working and what is not working. According to one Gallup study, managers who received employee feedback increased profitability by just under nine percent. However, you will only benefit from your employee’s first-hand knowledge if you ask them for input.

Diverse Backgrounds Yield Unique Perspectives

Your employee’s point of view on your business’s daily operations and long-term goals likely differs from yours. While you are focused on the big picture, your employees each experience a smaller section of the business operations. This puts them in a unique position to provide insight. Your employees’ opinions are also shaped by their work experience, education, cultural background, and lifestyle.

Employee Input is a Valuable Resource

Regularly gathering input from your employees accomplishes two very important goals: First, it provides you with valuable insight about your company culture, inefficient processes that slow the business’s growth, and where you need to improve. Secondly, asking your employees for their input reminds them that they are valuable members of the company. When employees feel that their opinion matters and you are listening to them, they are more likely to go the extra mile for the business.

Asking for Feedback Encourages Transparency and Boosts Morale

When employees are free to express their ideas and opinions, everyone wins. As a business leader, you gain useful insight and the ability to view your business from a different perspective. Your staff benefits from increased transparency and improved morale.

One obstacle many business leaders run into is how to gather feedback from employees. Many employees are afraid to criticize a supervisor or point out inefficiencies in a business process for fear of retribution. Anonymous online surveys are one way many business leaders gain honest feedback. Another way you can gain insight from your employee is to sit down with them either one-on-one or in small groups and have informal conversations about their jobs.

Call Us for Help with Your Business Needs

Employee input is one of the most overlooked resources in small- and medium-sized businesses. If you own or manage a small business, consider ways that you can better utilize your employees’ ideas and feedback.

For dependable legal guidance regarding a wide range of business law needs, contact the Gierach Law Firm. Call our Naperville business law attorneys at 630-228-9413 for a confidential consultation.

Source:

Forbes