Some businesses thrive no matter what the economic climate throws at them. So, what’s the secret? According to recent guest Dr. Noelle Nelson, it’s all about happy employees. In this episode of Transform Your Workplace, Brandon Laws sits down with Dr. Nelson to discuss the latest research from her book, Make More Money by Making Your Employees Happy. The two examine common pitfalls and best practices for ensuring that employees feel appreciated and heard.
GUEST AT A GLANCE
Dr. Noelle Nelson is a renowned psychologist, consultant, relationship expert, and author of over a dozen books. She is passionate about helping others “accomplish great things” both in their careers and in their personal lives. With over thirty years of experience in business litigation and multiple advanced degrees in psychology and sociology, Dr. Nelson is well-versed in guiding real people to solve real problems.
A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST
🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR
🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws
📋 In his own words: “The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders.”
THE SECRET TO SUCCESS
Why do some companies enjoy profit, productivity, low turnover, all while other companies are struggling? According to Dr. Nelson, the answer was the same when she wrote the first edition of her book as it is today: “Companies that thrive no matter what are companies who truly appreciate their employees.” And what does appreciation look and feel like? It is a set of behaviors and actions and an overall attitude. Appreciative employers truly value their employees. They go beyond a “thank you” and not only listen to the individual’s ideas, concerns, and unique perspectives but also act upon them.
PODCAST EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
The “Why” Behind Happiness
“Southwest Airlines has been a great place to work since a great place to work existed — even through the pandemic, even through the first years that Southwest lost money.
And the reason is that they, above all others, understood from the get-go that happy employees literally lead to more productivity, more profits.”
“Your employees are the ones in the trenches, […] and they really do have great ideas. Create a culture where it is encouraged, where you reward people for it, and where you actually implement and acknowledge their contribution.”
The Suggestion Box
“Frankly, it’s not the ‘suggestion box’ that is at fault. It’s the ignoring of it. It doesn’t do a damn bit of good if it’s nailed to the wall and nobody ever opens it up, or if they open it up and it goes straight to the circular file. That’s the problem. If there isn’t somebody who’s literally going through it and saying, ‘Hmm, let’s look at this,’ acknowledging the individual employee and or team that came up with it, and doing something about it, then what’s the point?”
Seizing Success in a New Role
“It’s a three-part process. Some people respond best to that which is written. They also can refer to it later, which is nice. Some people respond best to that which is said, which is a little bit iffier because it can be misheard and not necessarily referred to again. And — for sure — people respond when somebody comes up to them ten days later and asks, ‘did that work for you?’ So my suggestion is to use all three — make sure that the directives, the instructions, that go into doing this particular job are written, said, and brought up again.”
Recognizing the Individual
“Let’s look at the way our culture has evolved over the last decade. Everything is individualized. Businesses are paying attention to your unique preferences. So we have become accustomed to the idea that our individual preferences matter. And you know what? They really do. You want a happy employee? You want to up your profits? Then pay more attention to what your individual employees want.”
Focusing on the Positive
“The most powerful thing you can do to get an employee engaged is to catch them in the act of doing it right. And that’s what managers forget. That’s why people hate having someone look over their shoulder because they think it’s to look for something they’re doing wrong. But if your manager looks over your shoulder and goes, ‘Ooh, that was sweet,’ you’re going to glow. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a puppy dog, a baby, a grown human adult. It doesn’t matter. We thrive on genuine appreciation.”
Money isn’t Everything
“Too many leaders think that if they just throw more money at their employees, they’ll be happy. Certainly, sufficient monetary compensation is absolutely critical. You would not want to raise your kids without having a decent income. But once that level is there, what really matters more is recognition, respect, and reward.”
LEARN MORE
Pick up a copy of Dr. Noelle Nelson’s book, Make More Money by Making Your Employees Happy (2nd Edition), and check out her website, noellenelson.com, to find her other books and other valuable resources.