What are the ways you are ignoring or disrespecting your employees? If you think your clients wouldn’t put up with it, chances are your employees won’t either.

Yes, things can get crazy busy, but in a world where customer service and relationships is top priority, the example you set to your employees in turn influences the way they may treat your customers. So think again before you make your busy schedule or forgetfulness an excuse. Every single day, your employees are working hard to create, collect, and improve revenue for your company. Their satisfaction directly relates to your customers experiences, so be conscious of how you treat them and the example you set.

Do you commit these seemingly minor sins when dealing with your employees?

Situation 1: You called for a meeting or review with one of your employees and while he or she is talking or explaining, you’re working on your laptop or tapping away on your Blackberry or iPhone (is it really that urgent?).

Situation 2: You procrastinate. Your employees often hear you say “Let’s meet tomorrow,” but it never happens because you have somewhere you have to go to or you simply changed your mind. You keep rescheduling meetings with them – to do something you think is more important. Hey, it might be, but if this is a pattern, guess what your team is thinking?

Situation 3: You allow going in and out of the conference room during meetings (beyond “bio breaks” – just fluid attendance). Or worse, you yourself go in and out often to attend to phone calls and/or visitors during meetings.

If you’re guilty of committing one or all of these sins, then think about this: If it was a client you were dealing with, would you do the same? If you’re showing this kind of attitude/behavior towards your employees, they may think this is the company-approved pattern and act the same way towards your clients, too.

Remember leading by example?

To avoid “training” your staff in these bad habits, start by putting your electronic distractions away during a meeting – laptops closed! phones on “stun” or off!. Give your complete (genuine, sincere and focused) attention to your employees during a meeting. Encourage an open-door policy, but be firm and let your staff know that during closed-door meetings, unless it’s absolutely important, it can wait.

Lastly, and most importantly – keep your word, know your schedule and declare these important times a distraction-free zone. Oh – and keep meetings few, short, sweet and to the point, too!

Tagged as: Customer Perception, Customer Service, Relationships