Some employees have the potential to do better or even learn new skills for the betterment of the company, however, they lack the push- they may not be earning the encouragement or trust from their bosses, hence sitting on their ideas, and creativity.
This, in the end, can affect their morale for work, and even breed laziness when workers feel unsupported or if their efforts are not noticed.
Potential can be defined as having or showing the capacity to develop into something more in the future.
It’s imperative that employers and supervisors consider the idea of observing and calling out commendable, inventive, and enhance potential from their team members.
Experts state that even when employees make mistakes, because these are bound to happen, it should be a learning process with the leader’s efforts. Employers ought to shape their employees back up after a failure and get them back on their feet again. They should see what lies ahead of them and support them to reach there instead of blaming them and criticising them for every mistake or fault.
According to Marvin Trevor Aizire, a business consultant, employers or the heads of an organisation should create an atmosphere that allows employees to feel a sense of belonging.
He believes that this pushes the employees to give their all to the company and thus reach their potential.
"Employers should be very deliberate about having authentic relationships with their employees. Not just viewing them as mere workers, but as valuable assets to the company and showing them that they can trust them. This should be done in a respectful manner.”
"One of the mistakes employers make is to distance themselves from their workers in the name of proving that they’re the bosses and perhaps don’t want staff to skip the boundaries,” Aizire states.
He also stresses that as an employer, create an extra touch to the relationship. Go the extra mile to know and understand the families of your employees, probably they are encountering troubles that may even affect their work.
For him, this creates a connection between the two parties, a thing that pushes employees to do even more than their job descriptions stipulate. ‘If employees are threatened, they lose their morale and their potential is frustrated.’
Aizire further explains that employers should create support systems that push employees to do more and these should be able to accommodate everyone. A support system is a network of people who provide an individual with practical or emotional support.
He also highlights that as a boss, check weaknesses and get the strengths out of them. Know why your employees are not performing well and assist them in doing better in positions they have not delivered their expectations.
The business enthusiast urges managers to invest in leadership skills as these can help move your career forward, some of these include; soft skills, such as the ability to be a good listener and communicator.
"Leadership development comprises recognising and grasping the key skills and characteristics that are required to become a successful leader. If possible volunteer to take part in responsibilities outside or beyond your current position. Learning more and taking on more responsibility will make you a great leader and push you from your comfort zone,” he states.
For John Mary Musinguzi, the Principle of Lead International School- Kigali, employers should provide employees with training in the area where they operate. This equips them with extra knowledge and skills that develop your company.
He enlightens that always engage them in conversations so you know what they think the company should grow to. Some employees have great ideas but for some reason, they may have no one to share them with.
Musinguzi carries on that one needs to have a periodical performance evaluation. This encourages an employee to add more effort to their work towards their full potential.
Words of encouragement from supervisors are good for employees. They help them to keep their faith in their supervisor and work harder without force, he adds.