This approach brings a sense of support to your meeting and creates positive interactions of transparency and encouragement among you and your team. Once your team member has detailed the roadblocks they’re facing, you can offer advice based on how you previously overcame any similar situations. Ask about any challenges they’re up against as well. During your meeting, avoid critiquing a team member’s work or addressing a late assignment in favor of encouraging, supporting, and motivating them.
Holding touch-base meetings can bring a great dose of gratitude and positive inspiration to your team.
However, Harvard Business School has reported that more than 80 percent of employees don’t feel recognized at work. Like anyone, employees want to feel appreciated. If you can’t quite provide assistance in the ways your team members request, that’s okay! You can always connect your employees with other resources or a mentor who can further assist. It presents you as a resource instead of a manager who merely hands out assignments and issues deadlines. It also brings opportunities for mentoring and coaching your team members through any challenges they share. It communicates to your team members that you want to be involved in your team’s work. “How can I help you?” This question may seem simple, but it’s a deeply impactful way to show that you want to offer your support.
Discussing these items with your team members can help them feel supported and give them extra encouragement to follow through on their goals. You’ll also allow for a sense of autonomy that can increase job satisfaction and improve overall well-being.ĭuring your discussion, try offering suggestions on how your employee can best set and accomplish their priorities. This way, you gain an understanding of how your employees like to work while ensuring tasks get done. That’s why, when you’re meeting with your supervisees, you should let your employees take responsibility in setting their own goals and priorities. 2 Let employees set their own prioritiesĮach of your team members has their own way of organizing their tasks and getting their work done. Offer that option to unburden your team of any commuting or scheduling concerns. Yes, coffee meetings are pretty low-stakes, but your team members do still have to leave the house and actually go to them! Some folks might prefer the ease of casually segueing into meetings from home to even the lowest-key real-world spaces. Taking a meeting from home can feel less intense than going out for a cup of coffee. You can also go remote for ultimate comfort. You can also set a casual tone by asking icebreaker questions that set a light-hearted vibe for the rest of the meeting. Try the outdoor patio in your building, a nearby coffee shop, or anywhere else informal. Simply switching up your meeting location is a great way to more naturally touch base. Touch-base meetings are also great for escaping the rigidity that can come with meeting in an office or conference room. Being personable can help things feel comfortable enough to lead to an honest, free-flowing conversation. Let the people across from you see more of your “human” side than your managerial traits. A touch-base meeting should be brief and casual to keep the conversation lively and natural.