The following is an insightful blog from one of my OI Partners - David Miles - regarding employee retention and engagement.
It starts with a really simple premise - show your appreciation and respect. Taking the time to hear what your team has to say and giving them honest feedback is important.
Five Things Your Employees Wish You Knew
Originally by: Dr. David C. Miles, SPHR, CMF
When you look at successful businesses, one of the things they have in common is a steady, happy workforce. Those companies attract -- and more importantly, retain -- high-quality talent throughout their organization. Their secret to success? The leaders of those companies think strategically about how their employees fit into their overall business plans. If you look around your company and see disaffected, dissatisfied employees, maybe you should consider what your employees wish you knew.
1. You don’t listen. While you have the overall strategy of the company, your individual employees care and know about their niches within the company. Treat them as experts by inviting them to share with you their concerns -- what works, what doesn’t work, what could be done better. Actively listen and strategize with them, not to them.
2. You don’t know everything I do. All positions should have detailed job descriptions, but how well do you know what your employees do day-to-day? Job shadowing your employees shows that you care about knowing what they do and how it affects the business. You may even be surprised, in ways large and small, the techniques and innovations your employees have developed. This also shows your employees you’re not too “big,” nor that it’s beneath you to get your hands dirty.
3. You don’t appreciate me. Everyone likes to be appreciated, and every business should have a budget and a plan for employee appreciation. From once a year company picnics to awarding a gift certificate for a local restaurant, it’s nice to be appreciated.
4. You don’t respect me. Respect is usually demanded by top management, yet is rarely seen as reciprocated. Lack of respect shows in many ways, from not getting your employees input for goals and projects, to demanding that they remain available to you electronically 24-7.
5. You don’t understand I have a life. Employees sometimes feel overwhelmed with what they consider “non work” interruptions. Endless meetings, offsite team building and retreats, surveys that no one acts upon. As a consequence, many employees come in early, work late, come in on weekends, or do work at home just to be able to finish what they feel is their “real” work. This cuts into their private life, making for unhappy employees. Your job is to determine the necessity of all the extras, and only keep the ones that truly add to employees’ knowledge and productivity.
Dr. David Miles is managing partner of OI Partners - The Miles LeHane Companies, which he acquired with his wife and business partner in 1992, following a 25-year career with Marriott Corporation (Saga). Miles LeHane has grown into an international industry leader, focusing on five primary areas of practice: Strategic Management Planning, Coaching, Career Transition, Executive Search, and HR Products and Services. Dr. Miles can be reached at dmiles@oipartners.net.
