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Step 3 – Small talk, big gains
While work group meetings may be good for fostering formal business communication, Ikeda says if this is the only channel, it could be "a bit of a cop-out."
Instead, he recommends simply walking the floor a few times a week to ask employees how they’re doing.
"Take the coffee pot from the lunch room and walk around, pouring coffee for employees and asking how they’re doing. Do this a couple times a week to stay in touch. It costs nothing and will take ten minutes of your day." Managers will also gain a better perspective on daily operational problems and build a more open relationship with staff.
While work group meetings may be good for fostering formal business communication, Ikeda says if this is the only channel, it could be "a bit of a cop-out."
Instead, he recommends simply walking the floor a few times a week to ask employees how they’re doing.
"Take the coffee pot from the lunch room and walk around, pouring coffee for employees and asking how they’re doing. Do this a couple times a week to stay in touch. It costs nothing and will take ten minutes of your day." Managers will also gain a better perspective on daily operational problems and build a more open relationship with staff.
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