In a world where productivity has become necessary for an organisation’s survival, employees and management look to enhance their productivity via different means. Top management and leadership primarily have a big responsibility to teach values that promote productivity. However, certain pifalls and seemingly hostile measures can reduce productivity and impede the goal of increasing it. These mistakes and pitfalls can be the difference between an inefficient workforce and one adept at completing their assigned tasks on time.
This article explores six critical mistakes employers and managers should avoid, as they can seriously dent employee morale and lead to lower organisational productivity. Some of these measures include poor communication, neglecting employee needs, and inadequate training. Employees’ work-life balance and well-being are other vital considerations often overlooked by managers who focus solely on work productivity. Recognising harmful trends that reduce an employee’s overall productivity and rectifying them by taking measures to motivate them to work harder and smarter is the need of the hour.
1. Poor Communication
The most talked about ingredient of any successful organisation is communication. Excellent communication is the key to organisational success, where a culture of transparency prevails and employees feel looked after and valued. However, inadequate or unclear communication can result in the opposite, i.e., lead to constant misunderstanding and decreased productivity. Our organisations are multifaceted and require the utmost coordination between their various departments to function properly. However, poor communication can lead to delays and missed deadlines as employees cannot communicate properly, leading to confusion. The key here is to foster open and transparent communication amongst employees, which can lead to enhanced productivity.
2. Micromanagement
Micromanaging your employees can often increase stress levels and demotivate them. It also stifles creativity, which is reasonably necessary in particular fields such as marketing and content creation. Excessive control feels overbearing and overburdening to employees who need breathing space to function properly. The ability to micromanage your employees can also hinder professional growth as you become disillusioned about your job.
A controlling environment leads to distrust amongst employees, who feel undervalued. Trusting your employees and delegating tasks appropriately is the best way to do your business as a manager. The way forward is to offer support for your employees by being considerate and giving them realistic time to manage tasks. The employees can only offer enhanced productivity and work independently to provide optimum results.
3. Lack of Recognition
An excellent way to increase employees’ productivity is to appreciate them when they perform admirably. Failure to acknowledge such efforts and appreciate employees’ efforts will only result in lower morale and reduced motivation to complete the work at hand. Appreciating the efforts of your employees by awarding them certificates or custom trophies is a small step that can produce significant results in favour of the organisation. Recognising and rewarding achievements has to be the way forward for most organisations looking to increase the productivity of their employees. The employees feel valued by such rewards, and their motivation to excel at their jobs increases significantly.
4. Inadequate Training and Development
Another oversight of managers is not investing in employee training and development programs. Failing to invest in employees’ skills gradation and professional growth can lead to deteriorating skill levels and stagnation for employees. The solution is to provide adequate opportunities for employees to engage in skill development exercises. Regular training programs and refresher programs should be arranged for employees to keep them motivated and on their toes. Conducting workshops and dedicating resources to help employees enhance their skills is the need of the hour. This not only benefits the individual but also contributes to the overall success of the organisation.
5. Ignoring Work-Life Balance
Overloading employees with excessive work does more harm than good to employee morale. Unrealistic expectations on the part of the manager and impractical deadlines can lead to burnout and decreased productivity. Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is the key to enhancing employee productivity and morale. Managers should promote a healthy work-life balance by setting realistic expectations, discouraging excessive overtime, and encouraging employees to take breaks. A well-balanced life contributes to higher productivity when employees are working.
6. Neglecting Employee Well-Being
Modern times have caused considerable mental stress on individuals, be it their personal lives or professional ones; mental health is a much-talked-about topic. Employees’ physical and mental well-being is an essential factor affecting productivity. Employers neglecting employee well-being can increase employee absenteeism and reduce focus. The solution is implementing a holistic strategy that empowers employees to control their physical and mental faculties. Implementing wellness programs and offering mental health support to employees has become necessary in these trying times.
The importance of employee well-being is something that should always be highlighted to employers. By avoiding these mistakes, employers can create a positive work culture that fosters productivity, job satisfaction, and long-term success for employees and the organisation.
