While it takes commitment, leaders can use many creative tactics to build relationships and touchpoints with employees across the company. Consider implementing some of these ideas:
Host Office Hours
Offer monthly virtual or in-person “office hours” where any employee can sign up for a 10-15 minute slot to talk one-on-one with the CEO about anything on their mind. Publicize the opportunity and be clear that all feedback – negative or positive – is welcome.
Join New Hire Orientation
Block time on your calendar once a quarter to join the last 30 minutes of new hire orientation virtually or in person. Give a short welcome speech and stay afterward to mingle with the incoming group. New employees will appreciate meeting top leadership early on.
Conduct Roundtables
Gather diverse employees from across departments, levels, and locations over a meal or virtual meeting to discuss what’s going well and areas of opportunity for improving the employee experience. Vary groups quarterly to connect with more people.
Tour Frontline Locations
Schedule time to tour call centers, warehouses, stores, and other frontline sites to meet employees on their home turf. Ask questions and listen.
Invite Participation in Planning Days
When hosting executive strategy retreats, bring in individual contributors to share their perspectives for a few hours. Seasoned executives will benefit from the fresh eyes in the room.
Launch Employee Advisory Panels
Establish a cross-functional employee advisory panel that meets with the CEO quarterly to share observations and provide input on employee-impacting matters. Have the CEO assign members real work, like reviewing policy changes.
Analyze Engagement Surveys
Rather than delegating entirely to HR, personally review engagement survey results – especially the open-ended responses.
The Possibilities Are Endless
CEOs who prioritize employee connectivity find endless ways to make it happen. When there’s a will, there’s a way. Other ideas include:
- Host casual breakfasts or coffee chats for cross-level mingling
- Join external mentorship programs to advise individual contributors
- Participate actively in select online employee communities
- Maintain an anonymous suggestion channel for constructive feedback
- Join team meetings for different departments to provide updates
- Record monthly video messages sharing company news, strategy, and wins
- Reward teams who exemplify company values by treating them to lunch with you
You know your organization best. Draw from its culture and norms to invent creative connection opportunities that feel natural. Even small moments of personal interaction with leadership have an amplified impact on employees.
Consider periodically bringing in an organizational development consultant as a neutral third party. They can conduct confidential interviews and focus groups to uncover blindspots in your accessibility as a leader. External experts may also identify cultural issues at lower levels that limit transparency between employees and executives.
Accessibility Compounds Over Time
The most important point is that small moments of connection compound. Employees will naturally share more openly after seeing leaders are authentic and engaged. Don’t underestimate the impact of even small connections on morale, retention, and performance.
For now, consider picking 2-3 connectivity tactics to experiment with this quarter. Just getting started will position you for success.
