Here are 5 tips to empowering your employees to take back control of their happiness. These employee training tips have to be practiced. It’s the art of turning them into a habit that will make the difference in their lives.
1. Teach Employees to Smile More
The art of using your smile is a time honored habit, but one so many of us don’t use to its full advantage. There is a lot of research that backs the benefits of smiling. Smiling can help improve your mood, people’s mood around you and reduce stress.
When a phone representative smiles before they answer their phone they are setting the tone for the call. It’s this tone that can make the difference between a happy customer and an angry one.
Even teaching your employees to smile before they write an email back toward an unhappy customer can help improve the tone of the email. An empathetic and positive email will be received much better than a short and grumpy email. I’ve been practicing this technique for the past few months and the responses that I get back are much better. Many unhappy customers just want to know that their problem was heard even if you can’t solve it right there on the spot.
2. Encourage Better Posture
Posture is important because it signals to customers how they should treat the employee. If you show confidence with your back straight and your head held high then customers are more likely to mirror this signal and treat you with respect.
Many employees get pushed around by customers because of the old adage, “the customer is always right.” This is so wrong on many levels. No employee should be allowed to be screamed at. Customers have to know that they need to treat employees with respect if they expect to be given respect in return.
The benefits of good posture are numerous. It helps with blood flow and decreases back complications.
3. Make Active Relaxation a Daily Practice
Stress is a huge factor in any career. The more tools people have to manage their stress the easier it is for them to be happy at work.
“75%-90% of all doctor visits, medical and psychological, are now recognized as stress related.” – Washington Athletic Club
Giving your employees the mental tools to deal with a difficult customer is vital to keeping employees and customers happy. The added perk of reducing sick leave is a nice little bonus.
It’s why Google, Facebook and Zappos all have rooms to connect with co-workers while taking their mind off the stress of work.
The key to Active Relaxation is giving people spaces to unwind if they feel overwhelmed as well as showing them how to unwind. You need to explain the importance of slowing down and letting go of whatever is bothering them. Anyone can turn on a TV and tune out work, but they aren’t actively taking the time to process through their emotions. I suggest to people to take a 10 minute walk. Thfey get their body moving which increases blood flow and they can relax their mind to help process through a stressful moment.
4. Encourage Employees to Keep a Gratitude Journal
Starting a gratitude journal was one of the best habits I’ve ever created. I’m not a very naturally optimistic person, so take the time to list 3 things that I was grateful for at the end of each day helped me focus on the positive and lifted up my mood. I would look forward to it at the end of each day. It eventually turned into a one sentence work journal, which allows me to focus on processing through my thoughts and emotions.
Your employees might find this concept hokey, but it works.
If you notice a few employees who are struggling with their happiness I would suggest creating a team meeting or even a company meeting, depending on your company’s size. Show them how a gratitude journal works, the benefits and why you think they should try it for just 30 days. If it doesn’t work tell them lunch is on the company. I don’t think you’ll end up buying anyone lunch, but sometimes there is always “that” person at your company.
5. Advise Employees to Put Into People What They Want Back
Many people get so caught up in their own careers they stop creating good work Karma for themselves. I’ve gotten caught in this rut.
Your employees don’t want to be taken advantage of by other co-workers, but they also need to remember that if they want to improve their careers they need to put into people what they want back.
