Retaining Talented Employees
Every organization, regardless of size, product, or industry, needs to find and retain talented employees. The best people out there are always on the lookout for new opportunities, according to a recent survey, making it even more challenging for companies to keep those they have happy. Company leaders can implement a few basic strategies that foster future leaders as well as keep them from wanting to look elsewhere for new opportunities.
Begin with positive and professional interaction
Employee retention begins from the moment a company engages with a potential employee in an interview or that initial email to set up the interview. Be courteous, professional, and positive even to those who get rejected for a position. While they may not be a fit this time, they may be for the future. Perhaps even more importantly, their positive experience may encourage them to recommend a firm’s next superstar to send in their CV for a pivotal position.
Create a solid onboarding system
The onboarding system for new employees sets the tone for the rest of their time with an organization. Clear presentations of information, friendly interactions with other staff, and a willingness to guide new hires through their first weeks or months on the job not only introduce them to company culture, but present an organization that is competent, professional, and goal-oriented that will take them the places they want to go.
Present an organization that is competent, professional, and goal-oriented that can take them the places they want to go.
Instill purpose
Giving employees a sense of empowerment and responsibility is closely tied to the concept of helping them understand the role they can play in the larger picture of the company. Help employees understand how what they do is part of the company mission statement or how it impacts others around them. Good leadership helps people understand that role and makes them feel they are part of something larger than themselves. It is at that point that exciting things happen in terms of product development, new processes or other forms of innovation and increases job satisfaction.
Give them room to grow
People are hired for many reasons, not least of which is their potential and the talents they bring to the organization. Once they are fully on board, trust them to do the work they were hired to do. Micro-management is a waste of energy and time for the company as well as the employees. It restricts creativity, fosters doubt, and can create feelings of ill will. By giving employees the opportunity to try their wings, companies increase motivation and employees feel more invested in the organization and are more prone to stick around. It also gives them the change to develop the kind of leadership skills that can carry an organization to a successful future.
Good leadership helps people understand that role and makes them feel they are part of something larger than themselves.
Provide opportunities for learning
People in general, but especially top performers in an organization, are always looking for ways to improve their skills and abilities and expand their knowledge. Make sure they want to do that with your company. Employers who offer professional development opportunities create an environment of learning and challenge that keeps the best people at the table. By investing in their growth, employers demonstrate a long-term commitment that employees will return.
Avoid overwork
There is a fine balance between giving employees increased responsibility and overworking them. While Millennials are eager to stretch their wings, company leaders need to be cautious as they assign new work. The perception of being overworked and underpaid leads to feeling undervalued and is one of the biggest reasons cited for beginning to search for new opportunities. Overwork can also result in lower quality work, which increases dissatisfaction.
By giving employees the opportunity to try their wings, companies increase motivation and employees feel more invested in the organization and are more prone to stick around.
Foster a work-life balance
Modern business operates on a global clock, which can mean a 24-7 schedule. The prevalence of mobile devices makes it easy and convenient to touch base with employees, schedule meetings, take customer orders, and get things done; however, it is important to set boundaries, too. Company leaders should encourage their employees, especially the most talented, to create a work-life balance. Doing so ultimately benefits the organization as well as the employees.
Photo by Hamza Butt