If you want your business to thrive, you need a really good product or service to present to potential clients. You also need to have a good business plan. Most importantly, you need to have a team of talented and loyal people behind you. They will be the heart and soul of your firm, and they will take you to where you want to be.

But the good people that work for you are not robots whose needs remain static. They evolve as much as your business does, and their needs change with them. In order for you to keep them happy and ultimately make them stay, you have to be able to keep up with the changes.

No, we are not talking about compensation. No, we are not talking about much needed assistance with w2 online processing and other taxation needs. These things are important, we concede to that, but sometimes what they need is more than just money. Read on to find out.

Keep their workplace conducive not only for work but also their dignity as humans.

Let’s face it; no one wants to work in a place where they are constantly reminded of their shortcomings and faults. If your approach to motivating people is to let them know where they went wrong all the time, then you should consider changing it. To many, this approach breaks their confidence and positive outlook. It also increases the possibility of them committing errors.

You should also do constant and thorough toxicity checks on your work environment. Your workplace should have policies against bullying, power-tripping, discrimination, and disrespect for diversity. People with authority should be taught to not only be mindful of their power but also of their responsibility  to those they manage.

Help them grow, and make sure that they see or at least notice it.

No one wants to be stagnant. If we stay in a company, it’s probably because we feel valued and we somehow see ourselves growing. Your employees are not any different. Before they get bored in their roles, make them see the opportunities for those among them who do well. Do you offer raises? Do you offer promotions? Do you expand their roles?

Whenever you can, enroll some of them in training programs that effectively target their areas of improvement. Of course, you can negotiate with them regarding bonds so that you can also get the return of your investment through their service.

Genuinely care for them. As simple as that.

When your employees applied for the jobs that they now hold, they probably were just talking about their skills and how excited they are to work for you. But once they join the team, they bring with them their entire being: their emotions, stories, fears, and everything that makes them the person that they are. Let them know that you care by recognizing this. Try celebrating them on their birthdays. Praise them publicly when they do good. Quite simply, treat them as the human beings that they are.

Making employees happy may require you to exert a little effort. But most of the time, it just needs one thing: genuine care for their welfare. If you have this, you already have all the tools that you need to help your team reach their potential.