How do you engage and connect with frontline workers when you don’t have the luxury of communicating with them via traditional means? Consider these three steps:
- Make sure from the start workers understand how they are paid and rewarded, know their benefits and have access to them, have clarity about their schedules and how to cover/change a shift, know health and safety guidelines, and have access to equipment and training to feel safe at work.
- Leverage the “Ikea Effect,” the idea that people place a higher value on things they help build. Seek input from workers on solutions and innovations. Follow up, let them know when their ideas are used, and recognize their contributions.
- Meet people where they are. For instance, use ‘walk-arounds’ and stand-up meetings to discuss issues, seek input, and share information.
