In this week’s material of MGMT 453, it was highlighted that there are many benefits associated with effectively managing employees and that managers have a critical role in designing work to ensure employees are in a position to add value, ensuring employees have the critical competencies necessary to perform their jobs, and providing employees with the guidance and motivation to use their abilities to contribute to company goals.
I investigated a few companies on the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For 2020 list;
- Kimley-Horn
- Camden Property Trust
- David Weekley Homes
- Power Home Remodeling
Here are a few characteristics they all shared
People
All four companies believe the people they work for and with are what make them such great places to work. The people they work with not only make the job more exciting but they make each others jobs easier. If you have ever worked with people you get along with, you know they can make a not-so-fun job not so bad. If you’ve ever had an incredible job working with people you don’t get along with, you know they can ruin the experience. Filling a company with good people that get along is a crucial role of HR. When employees value the people they work with, it demonstrates that HR has successfully selected the right people.
Culture
Effective HR management plays a crucial role in shaping a company culture that employees value by aligning organizational goals with employee needs. This begins with creating a clear mission, vision, and set of values that define the company’s direction. These make the employees feel trusted and valued. HR then evaluates both internal and external factors to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Based on this analysis, HR selects and implements strategies that align with long-term goals. As the employees and the company grows and changes, HR adapts to the shifting needs of employees to ensure these strategies foster a positive, productive culture.
Benefits
Benefits play a pivotal role in HR management, serving as a powerful tool to enhance employee well-being, security, and overall job satisfaction. A good benefits package, encompassing everything from health insurance and retirement plans to paid time off and wellness programs, signals to employees that the company genuinely values their personal and professional lives. When employees feel supported and protected, their engagement, motivation, and loyalty naturally soar. Moreover, offering attractive, comprehensive benefits makes the company a magnet for top-tier talent, while reducing turnover and fostering a vibrant, committed workforce that thrives in a positive and fulfilling work environment.
The Versatile Manager
The kind of manager I want to be is a versatile one. I want to be flexible in how I manage to best suit the situation and people involved. People should feel comfortable sharing their perspectives and telling the truth and they should expect the same from me. If someone needs help, they can come to me and I will help in anyway I can. If somebody feels that I am too involved, they can tell me to give them some space. My role should be to help others succeed at their jobs and ideally help them enjoy it.
Being a Great Manager is CHALLENGING
Being a good manager is very challenging. Everybody is different and managing a diverse group of people performing a wide range of tasks while making sure everybody is satisfied is not easy. A challenging aspect is balancing kindness and understanding with maintaining a position of authority that gets quality work done efficiently. Ideally, people see a manager as a resource to enable them to complete their jobs more successfully. Creating that dynamic is something that requires effort and attention on both sides and involves a lot of trust and respect.
