“All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken
with painstaking excellence.”
– Martin Luther King, Jr.
For many of us Labor Day means two things: a day off from work and the official end of summer. But why is it called Labor Day, and what are we celebrating? On September 5, 1882 the first Labor Day parade was held in New York City to pay tribute to the working men and women in the community. In 1894 Labor Day was officially named and designated a national holiday to pay tribute to the labor force of our nation.
The success of every business is dependent on the workforce that drives it. It is important that the people of our nation pay tribute on this special day and every day to the creator of so much of the nation’s strength, freedom and leadership, the American Worker. Here are three suggestions to help our business leaders show their support all year long:
Communicate your appreciation or correction – in words and actions. It is only human to correct a task when things go wrong and to remain silent when a task is done right. Studies show that the most powerful motivator for any employee is positive reinforcement. It is important to speak directly to the individual in a timely, caring and candid manner. Whether the conversation is corrective or congratulatory, the person will retain self-respect and confidence in moving forward.
Ask “What can I do for you?” This question shows that you are sincerely interested in their success and satisfaction in their job. Responses will often identify issues that can help you position the person to be more effective and efficient and may impact others in the organization. By asking that one question on a consistent basis, you demonstrate you care.
Show your confidence with a challenge. Take a fresh look at each employee and the responsibilities of their position. Look for ways to expand their daily tasks and push them out of their comfort zone by presenting them with challenging opportunities. Although this may be intimidating to them at first, this allows them to grow, become more confident in their abilities, and will make them feel more valued and a part of the organization.
On this special day, why not sit back and consider the merits of your leadership style. Think about how you can demonstrate your confidence and appreciation to your team on this Labor Day and throughout the year! At R2R Marketing we appreciate all of our clients and look forward to working together to achieve success in business!
