--- title: "Interacting with Employees: How to Use the Past, Present, and Future" description: The holidays are a time of reflection. As we enter a new year, it feels appropriate to discuss past, present, and future opportunities with your employees. image: https://blog.amequity.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/istock-117149254_lr-1.jpg --- - [Report a Claim](https://www.amequity.com/report-a-claim) - [Member Login](https://www.amequity.com/log-in) [![Amequity](https://blog.amequity.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Amequity_Feb2022/images/AEU-full-logo-color.png?width=252&height=81&name=AEU-full-logo-color.png "Amequity")](https://www.amequity.com/) - [Coverage](https://www.amequity.com/coverage) - Resources - [Safety Resources](https://www.amequity.com/resources/safety-resources) - [Claims Resources](https://www.amequity.com/resources/claims-resources) - [Medical Management Resources](https://www.amequity.com/resources/medical-management-resources) - [Leadership Training](https://www.amequity.com/resources/leadership-training) - [Advisory Services](https://www.amequity.com/resources/advisory-services) - [Events](https://www.amequity.com/events) - [Blog & Podcast](https://blog.amequity.com/) - [Join Our Mailing List](https://www.amequity.com/join-our-mailing-list) - Who We Are - [About AEU](https://www.amequity.com/who-we-are/about-aeu) - [Newsroom](https://www.amequity.com/who-we-are/newsroom) - [Leadership](https://www.amequity.com/who-we-are/leadership) - [Careers](https://www.amequity.com/who-we-are/careers) - [Contact](https://www.amequity.com/contact) Longshore Insider All other pages Jan 01, 2019 # Interacting with Employees: How to Use the Past, Present, and Future ![Interacting with Employees: How to Use the Past, Present, and Future](https://blog.amequity.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/istock-117149254_lr-1.jpg) The holidays are a time of reflection. For many, it’s an opportunity to get with family and friends to recount stories of the past and to share hopes and dreams for the future. It’s also a time filled with traditions, both new and old. As we enter a new year, it feels appropriate to discuss past, present, and future opportunities with your employees. ### **The Past – Building Relations** The past provides an opportunity for you to understand who your employees are, why they might feel the way they do about certain matters, and how to motivate them most effectively. Building relations requires us to look into the past and a willingness of others to let us in. This point was made clear to a manager in a research lab several years ago. One of his employees unexpectedly passed from a non-work-related event. While at the funeral, the manager learned a great deal about the employee that he regrettably didn’t know. The employee was a Bronze Star recipient and had received a Purple Heart for military  service.  The manager felt regret for taking the time to get to know the employee better and remorse for not acknowledging his service when he had the chance. For him, that was a defining moment and one that forever changed how he interacts with his direct reports. The past helps us better understand the individual – who they are, where they’ve been, and what makes them tick.    ### **The Present – Recognizing Performance & Showing Appreciation** The present provides an ideal opportunity to recognize exceptional performance and to demonstrate value and appreciation for those who report to us. Employee engagement, satisfaction, and motivation are all experiences which are directly tied to emotions. How important are our employees' emotions? It’s been estimated that 85-95% of our daily actions are dictated by how we feel – not what we might think about a given situation or circumstance.  Look for ways to create positive interactions with employees in real time. This connects them to the performance and behaviors you hope to promote and see repeated often. Time and distance are not your friends when reinforcing desired actions. Seize the opportunity to show value and appreciation at the very moment it presents itself.   ### **The Future – Reinforcing Expectations ** No one likes criticism. There is a natural human tendency to feel (and often become) defensive when we believe fault or blame is being pinned on our shoulders. This is evidenced by countless examples of heated arguments started with finger pointing and accusations rooted in the past. When dealing with behavioral or performance issues requiring the employee to change, position the discussion such that you both agree on what needs to happen going forward, not what has happened in the past. It’s hard to argue with someone who expresses interest in your well-being and offers advice on ways to achieve it. While the direction may not always be welcomed, it can have a lasting impression – especially when given genuinely and sincerely.    ### **A Time for Change – Personal Growth and Improvement** The most important step in any journey is often the first. The law of physics suggests that a body in motion tends to stay in motion. If you’ve set a personal or professional goal involving growth and improvement for the upcoming year, take that first step. It doesn’t have to be a quantum leap – it just needs to create forward momentum. Happy New Year! [![Need Longshore Coverage? 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(AEU) delivers specialized coverage and risk management solutions to waterfront employers across the United States. As an industry leader in U.S. Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation (USL&H), AEU also provides state act workers’ compensation, Maritime Employers’ Liability (MEL), marine general liability, and automobile liability for waterfront employers. AEU provides services such as claims handling, loss control, and underwriting, as well as longshore consulting and leadership training to help businesses protect their people and manage risk with confidence. ## Related Topics [Leadership](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/leadership) ## More Resources Oct 15, 2024 #### [Respect: The Key To Effective Frontline Leadership | SOS Podcast](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/respect-the-key-to-effective-frontline-leadership-sos-podcast) Sep 17, 2024 #### [Recognizing and Responding to Bad Habits Impacting Workforce Performance | SOS Podcast](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/recognizing-and-responding-to-bad-habits-impacting-workforce-performance-sos-podcast) Aug 20, 2024 #### [Providing for Your Employees' Basic Needs | SOS Podcast](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/providing-for-your-employees-basic-needs-sos-podcast) May 21, 2024 #### [How to Prepare for and Lead a Group Presentation | SOS Podcast](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/how-to-prepare-for-and-lead-a-group-presentation-sos-podcast) Apr 16, 2024 #### [Defining, Developing, and Demonstrating Social Intelligence | SOS Podcast](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/defining-developing-and-demonstrating-social-intelligence-sos-podcast) ## Legal Disclaimer Views expressed here do not constitute legal advice. 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