6 Ways Leaders Can Improve Employees’ Quality of Work and Life

You are in a leadership position, so you know that you have several duties to perform. And one of them is to improve your employees’ quality of work and life.

Yes, you read it correctly: their quality of life as well.

Many leaders will fail in this matter, as they think that they only have to care about what happens in the workplace. They do their best when it comes to delegating and supervising, and that is it.

If you want to be considered as a true leader, you will have to do much more. Not just because someone said to do more, but because stressed and unhappy employees won’t deliver the best results.

Here are six ways you can help your team improve their quality of life:

Don’t micromanage

Micromanagement is the sin of many leaders. Still, it is a very typical behaviour, in particular among those who have just gotten their first leadership position. They don’t know well enough what is their business and what is not. Plus, they fear that they will be held accountable for every small thing that happens so they believe that they need to know and be part of everything.

If you suffer from micromanagement, set yourself free, and your team as well. It defies the purpose of having a team if you have to be everywhere. Plus, your employees won’t feel like they are being respected as professionals when you micromanage. Nobody wants to have someone watching over their shoulders on a daily basis. It is stressful and counterproductive.

Don’t share unnecessary matters with your staff

The chain of command comes with a filter for information. That doesn’t mean you should hide relevant matters from your staff. However, they don’t need to know everything that is going on in the company before it is necessary.

Most of the time, oversharing can only bring uncertainty as your staff members expect you to mention only what is crucial. For instance, they will think that if you are telling them about bad financial figures, it is because it is time to look for a new job. And one of them might get a great offer, causing you to lose a talent for no reason.

Give them plenty of feedback

Another thing that employees depend on is feedback. They need to know if you are happy with their services, what they should improve, and what you expect from them. Failing to provide feedback will make them feel uneasy or too comfortable, and you don’t want either to happen.

You need to learn the best way to give feedback, assessing both positive and negative topics. You already know that shouting after a mistake about their incompetence is a poor choice, but that is just the beginning. In addition, don't forget to hold meetings specifically for feedback.

Find the best way to motivate them

Each person is different, but there are several ways that you can motivate your team. Feedback, as mentioned above, is one of them. Another one is starting with your own motivation, as they won’t feel engaged in the task if you aren’t.

Nobody is expecting you to become a cheerleader, but you should routinely encourage them to do their best. Find out what they need to feel motivated and make it happen. You will see their productivity increasing in no time.

Give them clear goals to pursue

One of the leading causes of stress at work (and in life) is having no goals to pursue. Or having goals but no idea why they are relevant. You will help people see their objectives clearly and teach them how to structure and maintain a schedule that supports their journey.

Get to know them as a person

Get to know each one of your employees personally. It is a shame when a manager has no idea if their secretary is married or if she or he has any children. You should also keep their birthdays in your schedule, and make sure that you know where they are going on holidays.

Above all, you should be aware of any personal needs that they might have. If they, or a member of their family, are ill, you should be prepared to do your best to accommodate what they need during these unforeseen circumstances.

The bottom line

There you go, six ways that leaders can improve their quality of work and life for their employees. As you can see, they don’t require any paperwork or extra budget, only that you adjust your behavior and routine.

They will improve your company’s results for sure, so make the most of them.