How to Bond With Your Employees

Whether you run a practice for dental implants in New Orleans or a law firm in Dubai, bonding with your employees has a lot of advantages. Primarily, it means a sense of community within the workplace and when employees feel connected to their bosses as well as their colleagues, they are more likely to feel engaged and motivated at work, leading to overall job satisfaction that ultimately improves productivity and retention rates.

However, bonding with employees is easier said than done because of things like the power dynamic and the fear of appearing unprofessional. Here are some tips for bonding with your employees.

Start a Mentorship Program

By definition, a mentorship program is a great way to bond with employees as it means one on one time both personally and professionally.

Start by developing a plan for the mentorship program that outlines the expectations, responsibilities, and timeline including clear goals and milestones. Then, choose a mentee or more. Consider skills, experience, and interests to ensure a good match.

It’s a good idea to regularly

evaluate the mentorship program. Ask for feedback from mentees to identify areas for improvement, then make adjustments as needed.

Host a Company Retreat

A relaxing vacation away from the workplace setup is definitely one way to bond with employees.

Start by selecting a location that is appropriate for the type of retreat you’re planning. For example, a location with only one small motel for miles is not ideal for a large group. You also want a location that is conducive to team activities that are ideal for bonding such as outdoor games and dinner parties.

Don’t forget to communicate the details of the retreat to employees well in advance, including the schedule, and activities, so that they know what to bring.

Celebrate Accomplishments

Everyone likes being celebrated. Especially in the workplace where this is hard to come by, celebrating your employee’s accomplishments is an ideal way to bond with them.

How? A key to celebrating employees’ accomplishments is to be sincere and tailor your celebration to the individual’s personality and interests. So your options include:

• Offering genuine specific praise
• Public recognition such as sharing their achievements on social media, writing an article for your company website or newsletter, or even giving them a shoutout during a team meeting
• Meaningful incentives such as a gift card, extra paid time off, or a bonus
• Celebratory team events such as a team lunch, or happy hour

Consider an Open Door Policy

An open-door policy is one of the best ways to create a sense of trust and communication between you and your employees, a key part of bonding.

Here’s how to implement an open-door policy effectively:

• Communicate your policy clearly. Try a sign on your door or desk, sending an email, or mentioning it in a team meeting
• Actively listen. Put down your phone or stop what you’re doing and focus on what an employee is saying to show them that you value their input
• Follow up. Let them know what steps you took to address the issue to support them
• Respect confidentiality. Keep discussions private to build trust with your employees and make them feel comfortable coming to you in the future

So, to enjoy the benefits of a great relationship with your employees, why not try out these tips?