The latest research from Perkbox Vivup, the global benefits, engagement and wellbeing platform, reveals a quarter of British managers (25%) say their team members have become more demanding in the past year. However, many believe this is a positive change, as it reflects workers’ understanding of their worth.
As such, the challenge for managers is how they can adequately meet these changing demands. Notably, 75% say that a more diverse team requires them to take a more varied approach to management but acknowledge the positive business impacts this diversity delivers. Nearly nine in ten (88%) say encouraging team members to bring their authentic selves to work is improving both creativity and innovation.
Individuality creates unity
To complement the encouragement of individuality, managers are taking a more tailored approach to managing each of their people, with over half (53%) choosing to directly ask their team members what it is they need from them as their manager. Separately, 49% are working with each of their team members to set individual career and development goals.
A tailored approach to management is also having a wider positive impact by strengthening company culture. In fact, 85% of managers say it has resulted in them having stronger relationships with their team; 86% say it has helped each team member to feel more valued; and 87% say it has improved both employee engagement and satisfaction.
Empowering a tailored approach
To reap the benefits of this strengthened culture, businesses should be supporting managers in delivering a tailored management style. However, less than half (46%) of managers say they have access to a range of rewards which they can tailor to the differing needs of their team. Indeed, two-thirds (66%) of managers would also like to see their team members provided with greater access to personalised perks and benefits to meet their diverse needs.
Commenting on the research, Perkbox Vivup’s CEO, Doug Butler, said “encouraging individuality in the workplace has clear benefits including improved creativity, greater innovation, and an overall happier workforce. In order to enjoy these benefits, however, business leaders must provide the necessary tools to help managers nurture and encourage that diversity. Providing broader access to engagement, benefits and wellbeing solutions which employees can tailor to their individual needs, plays a key part in this, and ensures each team member feels recognised and celebrated for their differences, and the unique contributions they bring to the business.”