Do Happy Tech Leaders Equal Happy Employees? Happy tech leaders play a huge role in promoting employee happiness, but they are not the only thing that matters.
By Steve Taplin Edited by Chelsea Brown
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There are scores of reasons businesses succeed, but maintaining a motivated and happy workforce is the main one. At the end of the day, happy employees are productive employees. Life behind a desk is the norm within the tech industry, with the long hours being painfully tasking. For each employee to perform at their best level, their happiness and contention around the workplace are essential.
Happy tech leaders = happy employees?
So, do happy tech leaders equal happy employees? Well, it depends. Happy tech leaders play a huge role in promoting employee happiness, but they are not the only thing that matters. One can think of many ways to keep employees happy; competitive salaries and bonuses, comfortable offices, flexible schedules and team building. While all these are viable ways to help employees enjoy their work, one should start by looking through the hierarchy.
"Management's overall aim should be to create a system in which everybody may take joy in his work," says Dr. Edwards Deming. So, what do the leaders aim at to improve the employee's joy? Read on to learn some ways they make this possible.
Related: 3 Proven Ways to Keep Employees Happy
Creating positive energy around the workplace
Energy is contagious, so interactions among the employees can influence the mood at the workplace. Positive energy from leaders also manifests itself in the workforce. The contrary is also true, which is why tech leaders have to dissociate with negative energy at the workplace.
Positive energy results from the right culture fit for the employees. Through the same culture, everyone will feel responsible for supplying positivity. It means the whole team will enjoy a bond that ensures they stay happy. The organization as a whole also benefits since a happy employee is a productive worker.
Utilizing employees' strengths
Nobody wants to feel unappreciated and unhelpful, so tech leaders should keep in mind the core competencies of each employee. A recent study indicated that employee happiness also depends on how in touch they feel with the team. From there, they gauge their future with the company on whether to stay or leave.
Tech employees require some guarantee about their career growth. Leaders can start by entrusting them with more responsibilities around the office. Responsibility allows them to grow into different roles as they enjoy career grooming. While allocating roles, be careful not to fit employees in roles that don't fit their qualifications; it might have a ripple effect.
Help employees maintain a work-life balance
As much as the workplace is a fun place to be, it cannot substitute other areas of life. Tech employees can have a hard time maintaining a work-life balance due to their career demands. Happy leaders know the importance of a work-life balance and can help their employees attain it too. Many times in the technology industry, employees don't usually recognize when they are close to burning out. Chronic workplace stress is a serious syndrome. Helping employees harness their emotional intelligence skills to recognize workplace stress is a valuable skill that will help them prevent burnout.
Some ways to promote the work-life balance are to allow flexible working hours and create a way for them to enjoy life away from the office. Leaders could also plan events that help the employees go out to have fun. As a result, they help break the monotony of feeling compelled to work and sacrificing a part of their lives. Outsourcing some of the work can also relieve the employees of some tasks, allowing them to get more family time.
Related: 5 Simple Ways to Improve Your Work-Life Balance
Consider employees' input
Employees love feeling part and parcel of the team, so leaders should consider and appreciate their opinions. Great leaders understand that everyone's input matters and is critical for a happy tech team. Part of supporting the employees is allowing them to speak their minds. Leaders should ensure they get employees to contribute to decisions that affect their work. The team should critically evaluate each idea to know the positives of the idea and negatives, if any.
Companies should also focus on building meaningful relationships with their coworkers. Since most of us spend a good portion of our lives at work, having fulfilling relationships can dramatically impact your mood and attitude. Making sure to foster company networking events, having awards and recognition events and promoting everyone being a team player are important strategies for this.
To sum it up, happy tech leaders significantly contribute to happy employees. Their role at work focuses on ensuring everyone feels part of the team while ensuring there is no disconnect. They also allow a working style that consolidates business leaders and allows working styles. Through their ability to bring everyone together and support them, the leaders can promote employee joy. The effect is a hugely productive workforce to achieve desirable business growth.
