The Great Resignation? Or The Great Wake Up? Steps you can take right now to retain and engage your employees.
I had a really good client meeting this past week, because after I wrapped up the call, I was left feeling energized, ready and aligned. It made me pause and reflect on what gives and what drains my energy; you know that feeling of constantly swimming upstream to reach your goals, versus flowing with the current.
It got me thinking about The Great Resignation and what organizations are dealing with right now because as I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, one size does not fit all for organizations, leaders, or individuals. In my experience personally and with clients, this is what I know to be most important and effective:
Breakthrough the politics: Organizations don’t have the time for politics in this day and age. This is the opportunity for companies to redefine how they operate and evolve. Organizations need to bring their people together, be transparent, create clarity and drive strategic and intentional action.
Be proactive: As leaders, if you’ve been losing employees in part because of this resignation trend, you have to ask yourself, what have you been doing to create an environment where they would want to stay? Many organizations conduct exit interviews, but perhaps it’s time to do stay interviews with your star employees. What concerns do they have? What would tempt them to leave? Let them be seen and heard.
Meet them where they’re at: During this great awakening, the approach organizations and leaders once used has become obsolete because we are navigating very different world between remote, hybrid and in office options. That’s why it has become essential as leaders to understand what each of our employees might need to thrive. There may be some parameters you have to stay within as a leader in your organization, but continuing to develop and mentor, whilst giving your team the autonomy to move within those boundaries creates a culture they want to grow and be part of. Create an ecosystem with a path, purpose and connection for them.
Studies have shown the grass is not always greener once we leave organizations. In fact, according to a survey conducted by The Muse, 72% of those who quit their jobs regret it.
So, what can you do if you feel like you’re in this cycle of feeling like the carpet is being pulled out from under you? Embrace this era of the Great Wake Up, and become very intentional with your people and strategy. People are thinking about their lives differently and organizations need to as well. Expect that there will be turnover. Know there will be challenges. You have the power lean in, think outside the box, and redraw the lines with your team.
Let me know if you’ve had to think outside the box and how you’ve redefined your approach!