Kurt Blazek

There are three types of bosses when it comes to employee morale: the boss who is very focused on keeping morale high, the kind who is solely worried about the job and neglects the morale aspect and lastly, the clueless boss which has the best of intentions for employee morale, but still inadvertently destroys it. Whichever you may be, morale is essential for employee retention, good productivity and a healthy work environment. If you feel like your workplace lacks any of these aspects, maybe it’s time to reevaluate how you handle your employees.

When you own a business, motivation and communication become two of your biggest tools when working with your employees. These two concepts go hand in hand when you want your employees to become a trusted aspect of your business. The most important way to keep your employees motivated is to communicate with them. Let them know what’s going on with your company and make them a part of the decision-making process.

How does your company empower its employees? Many times, this question elicits solutions and actions: we implement open door policies with management; we conduct semi-annual performance reviews; we offer flexible work schedules and the opportunity to work remotely.

While all of these solutions can contribute to employee empowerment, it’s important that any employee-focused program starts by answering the right question.

Do you work for someone who thinks they have all the answers, but has little patience for the ideas of others? Do they have an opinion about everything and will share it regardless of its value to the project? Having to deal with a know-it-all in the workplace is an all-too common problem. Dealing with this type of personality can be difficult – especially when the know-it-all is your boss. Here are three tips to keep in mind that will help make your interactions with a know-it-all boss easier to manage.

In today’s fast-paced, technologically driven society, the marketplace can change on a dime. Businesses that not only succeed but thrive are the ones that can adapt to—or, even better, anticipate—change with as little effort as possible. Which means that, keeping your business running at “business as usual” status won’t allow you to grow.

The price of being stagnant is remarkably high. If your company is sluggish to adopt new ideas or new thinking, be aware that your competitors aren’t. They are out there working on not just the ideas for a better tomorrow, but the ones for a better next week, and with that thinking, they’re winning more of your customers. And making your business obsolete.