The New Year is an opportunity to make a fresh start. It’s the perfect time to reflect on your business successes and put the wheels in motion for future accomplishments.
Here are seven inspiring New Year’s resolutions for business leaders that can boost your company’s productivity and make it an appealing, enviable place to work.
1. Be generous.
It may seem counterintuitive, but many businesses have found that the more generous they are, the more successful they become. Being generous to employees in terms of their flexibility, pay, and holidays may come with a cost, but those who practice it receive abundant rewards in the way of team members who are happy, fulfilled, and loyal, which ultimately results in greater profitability.
2. Focus on “we”.
Envision yourself as a vital cog in the wheel and rather than the ‘head honcho’ of the team or company. This year, strive to reduce the time you spend directing others and focus on facilitation and collaboration instead. Be a servant leader who doesn’t seek to get credit, but is driven by helping the organization and its people to succeed.
3. Strive to create a purpose-driven environment.
Throughout 2021, we observed a mass exodus of corporate talent. Part of what drove that departure was a desire for people to derive greater purpose from their work. Fulfillment and personal happiness will continue to be trends for 2022, and employers who are attuned to this new alignment will be better positioned for the future. To flourish today and tomorrow, consider why your organization exists. How purpose-driven is your culture? If it’s lacking, now is the time to reflect on where you need to improve.
4. Re-imagine an employee experience built on connectedness.
Employee engagement is vital and if it hasn’t been on your radar before, it needs to be in 2022. When coupled with the impact of COVID, engagement grows more complicated because everyone is dealing with some type of personal difficulty. Remote work tends to enhance feelings of loneliness and isolation. As a leader, you have the opportunity to set the tone within your organization. Start by acknowledging the enormity of our collective challenges. Leading by example, actively sharing information, and regularly checking in on team members are great ways to foster connectedness.
5. Practice compassion.
Demonstrating empathy breeds internal loyalty and trust. This year, strive to create the kind of work environment you would want for yourself and encourage compassion at all levels of the organization. Show concern when a team member has a personal issue and remember that life happens for all of us. You will be rewarded down the road for the compassion you exhibit today.
6. Focus on well-being.
As we approach nearly two years of work during a pandemic, ongoing economic woes, and numerous other challenges, focusing on employee well-being has never been more important. Make 2022 the year that you provide easy access to mental health benefits for all employees, incorporating comprehensive offerings that cater to a diverse set of needs. Strive to normalize psychological and physical wellness, remove the stigma attached to mental health, and embed well-being initiatives throughout the organization.
7. Create an equitable hybrid work model.
The traditional model of being in the office from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. five days per week is gone for good. In the new business landscape, for instance, you might envision your offices primarily as a place to meet as needed for live collaboration and brainstorming. Reorganizing for a hybrid model requires careful planning and preparation along with considerations of its impact on company culture. Maintaining a friendly, convivial culture with minimal in-person connection entails rethinking best practices and discovering new and innovative ways of doing things. Keeping employees engaged in a hybrid environment, offering equal opportunities for professional growth regardless of work location, and fostering a unified team attitude will enable workers to be their most productive, satisfied, and successful.
The heart of productivity lies in people and relationships. There will always be goals to meet but those efforts become much easier when employee engagement, empowerment, and personal satisfaction are at the forefront.
What has worked in the past may not be effective now or in the future, so take time to revisit your strategies for the year ahead. To discover more innovative ways you can make 2022 your company’s most successful year yet, please contact our knowledgeable team.
About The HR Team: Founded in 1996, The HR Team is a Maryland-based human resources outsourcing firm committed to developing strategic, customized solutions that respond to the unique needs and cultures of organizations of all types and sizes. Available as a one-source alternative to an in-house HR department or on an à la carte project basis, the company’s flexible service models address the full spectrum of HR needs that many organizations struggle to address. The HR Team helps clients achieve their highest level of success by providing value-driven human resources services that leave them time to focus on what they do best: directing business growth and profitability. Headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, the firm serves all of Maryland, Washington, DC, and Virginia. To learn more about The HR Team, call 410.381.9700 or visit https://www.thehrteam.com/.
