As Halloween approaches, we’re reminded that a little observation can go a long way.
In recent years, Ring video doorbells have quietly begun to influence the dynamics of Halloween. In 2021, Ring shared intriguing data collected from its surveillance systems on this holiday. According to their findings, Ring doorbells were rung an astounding 15.8 million times on Halloween, marking a six-fold increase from the previous Thursday. Moreover, Ring’s presence has also played a role in curbing some of the petty mischief often associated with Halloween, such as yard toilet papering or pumpkin-smashing.
But what does this have to do with employee management?
The Hawthorne Effect is a psychological phenomenon that shows that people tend to change their behavior when they know they’re being observed. This was first discovered in the 1920s at a Western Electric plant near Chicago, where researchers were studying the effects of lighting on worker productivity. The study highlighted a direct correlation between an individual’s performance and their awareness of being observed, monitored, and receiving attention from researchers or supervisors.
7 Management Tricks to Treat Your Team Right
How can we harness this principle to motivate our teams while sidestepping the pitfalls of micromanagement and excessive observation? In this blog post, we’ll explore innovative ways to “treat” your employees, not “trick” them, by observing and rewarding their performance effectively, thereby cultivating a positive and productive work environment.
- Don’t keep your employees in the dark. Be transparent with your employees about expectations, goals, and evaluation practices. Let employees in on why you’re observing their actions and how it ties into their growth and the overall success of the organization.
- Unmask expectations. Don’t leave your employees guessing what you expect of them. Be clear about their roles and responsibilities, and provide them with regular feedback.
- Don’t be a ghost to your employees. Create an environment where your team feels they can approach you. Consider establishing an open-door policy or providing regular times to review goals and expectations so that employees feel at ease discussing concerns or seeking guidance.
- Be aware of D.O.G.G. This little acronym stands for “Do Offer Gracious Guidance.”When dealing with performance problems or behavioral concerns, engage in private discussions with employees rather than airing these matters publicly. This approach safeguards their dignity and minimizes potential embarrassment.
- Dole out desirable “treats.” We all know what it’s like to get an apple or toothbrush on Halloween. Don’t just give your employees candy corn that they’re not going to eat. Reward them with things that they value, such as time off, recognition, or professional development opportunities.
- Summon a spirit of self-awareness. Self-awareness can be a catalyst for positive changes. One way to observe employee performance while boosting morale is to promote reflection on their performance and behavior while fostering a sense of ownership over their development.
- Don’t just give your employees a sugar rush. Ditch the conventional annual reviews in favor of integrating employee self-reflection as a regular part of your annual routine. Cultivate a growth mindset and emphasize that observation isn’t solely about fault-finding but also about recognizing opportunities for improvement.
Incorporating these principles into your management approach can have a transformative impact on your team’s performance and motivation. Like the magic of Halloween, creating an environment of trust and encouragement can lead to inspiring and enduring results.
By Kent Wilson