Coronavirus, Employee Productivity And The Power Of Caring

The coronavirus has seen a rise in the number of people showing they care about others. They call to see how they’re doing. These aren’t calls for the latest happenings. They’re ones for health and well-being. People feel better after such calls. That’s the power of caring.

Employee Productivity And The Power Of Caring

Perhaps the habit of making such calls will be one “new normal” the virus leaves with us. This power of caring works at work too. Managers calling employees to see how they’re doing, adjusting to working at home, dealing with health and well-being. Knowing someone cares increases productivity for most workers.

Yes, systems, processes, goals, incentives and such do too. However, are these tools or are they remedies for managers who don’t know how or can’t care about their employees? Just as certain people have a mind for math and art, could some managers lack the mind for caring?

Yes, systems, processes, goals, incentives and such increase productivity too. However, are these tools or are they remedies for managers who don’t know how to or can’t care about their employees?

Power Of Caring, Placebo Effect And Change

Medicine makes use of the placebo effect to assess the real benefit of drugs and approaches. What the field has also found is that PE is real. Certain people with certain ailments feel and get better.

One of the main reasons why placebos work is the power of caring. When medical professionals show they care, patients are more apt to accept and believe in the remedy. In other words, patients are more apt to change.

This power of caring extends to work. If employees feel managers care about them, they more readily accept instruction and change. This improves productivity. It optimizes relationships.

Linking Caring And Trust

Now, it’s easy for managers to say they care about their people. Of course, that does not mean their people feel this care. So, here’s an acid test question to ask an employee:

Do you trust your manager to do what’s right for you and to tell you when he can’t?

This question goes beyond liking a manger. It goes beyond thinking she’s good at the job. Many employees will answer positively to those. Yet, following up with this question exposes the weak spots. It’s these weak spots that the power of caring attacks.

Calling To Convey Caring

So, take advantage of this virus to build new habits. Call to convey caring. Build trust. Help others feel better. When they feel better they do better. They accept change better. They’re more productive.

Then, when this virus passes, and it will. Don’t stop. Continue. Ask how they’re doing every now and then. When they give you an update instead, say, “Oh, that’s good to hear,” then say, “I really was asking about your health and well-being,” and ask, “How are you doing there?”