Companies of all types and sizes struggle with retaining their top talent. Your superstars bring a lot to the table and losing them can have serious consequences. Aside from the time and expense of replacing them, turnover also causes less quantifiable obstacles to a company’s success.
It impedes business operations, disrupts the progression of projects and hinders consistency. And then there’s the impact on workplace morale and productivity: high turnover creates a negative environment that tends to reinforce itself. Still, it’s a fact that appealing job offers will come along for talented people. They may leave for a higher-paying position, a challenging new role or a more appealing title. Capable workers will always have opportunities to leave. The key is to identify the reasons for attrition and create the kind of environment that encourages them to stick around.
There’s often one preventable factor at the root of employee separation: disengagement. Employees disengage for a variety of reasons, but usually it’s because they feel underappreciated in their role or when their efforts go unrecognized. In a survey conducted by Glassdoor, 81 percent of respondents said they felt motivated to work harder when their boss showed appreciation for their work, and more than half would stay with their employer longer if they felt more appreciated.
So what’s the best way to combat employee disengagement? The answer may surprise you. In truth, employee
immediate supervisor doesn’t manage them well, they’ll disengage and leave, regardless of what wonderful things the company may be doing as a whole. It all starts at the top, so it’s in everyone’s best interest to invest in your leaders and give them the tools they need to excel. Still, despite the strong influence of managers on employee retention, most organizations fall short when it comes to their development. What steps should your company be taking?
Improve their training. When it comes to leadership training, managers are often left out. Few organizations invest resources in training new managers let alone continue to develop existing managers skills. With a high volume of work and little training to fall back on, many managers are left to do what they feel is best or what they see their peers doing. Consider creating leadership development programs to include managers of all levels so they can learn from one another.
Provide more communication and feedback. Your managers may feel lost because they don’t know how they’re doing. They need feedback from executives and from the employees they lead. Make it a priority to communicate frequently, openly and clearly with your managers, and encourage them to do the same within their departments. Focus on creating an environment that inspires communication and transparency.
Be a better role model. Senior executives should take an objective look at their own leadership strategies and evaluate what behaviors their managers and supervisors may be picking up from them. Make an effort to be a better leader and model the strategies your managers should use within the organization.
Ultimately, the superstar managers you develop will be invaluable in keeping your most talented employees around. Provide the tools they need to create an environment that fosters growth, innovation, and retention. For more helpful strategies to keep your top talent in place, please contact the experienced professionals at The HR Team.
About The HR Team: Founded in 1996, The HR Team is a Maryland-based human resources outsourcing firm committed to developing strategic, customized solutions that respond to the unique needs and cultures of organizations of all types and sizes. Available as a one-source alternative to an in-house HR department or on an à la carte project basis, the company’s flexible service models address the full spectrum of HR needs that many organizations struggle to address. The HR Team helps clients achieve their highest level of success by providing value-driven human resources services that leave them time to focus on what they do best: directing business growth and profitability. Headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, the firm serves all of Maryland, Washington, DC, and Virginia. To learn more about The HR Team, call 410.381.9700 or visit https://www.thehrteam.com/.
