Getting to know your employees on a personal level can jeopardize your authority.

Getting to know your employees on a personal level has many advantages. That doesn't mean getting too personal and going out at weekends for a beer (or two). But it's totally possible to keep your boss hat on and still take your employees to lunch occasionally or ask how their weekend was. Spending time with staff enables you to know them better and discover hidden skills and motivations. So how can you do it? ✓Go beyond "Good morning" and ask open-ended follow-up questions instead. Show genuine interest in what happens beyond work. ✓Help employees reach their goals by acting as their accountability partner. ✓Recognize and celebrate. Acknowledge employees' hard work and improvements. Also, celebrate milestones and birthdays. ✓Express sympathy at hard times, such as the death of a family member. ✓Stop saying you're too busy and make time for your team. It’s not about crossing the line between boss and buddy, but showing you care for your team as people, rather than just employees. Accountability is also about taking care of each other. Source: Forbes, 2019. 5 Ways to Connect With Your Team on a Personal Level

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