The talent war is about to get fiercer thanks to The Great Resignation. Millions of U.S. workers have quit their jobs in the last six months, and a recent Gallup survey found that nearly half of employees are actively looking to make a change. Companies are struggling to replace those who have left—but don’t forget about the employees who stay, a new Harvard Business Review article warns.
Remember, these employees will likely find themselves carrying an extra workload until replacements are hired. They may be feeling overworked and underappreciated. HBR advises that you think of these employees like customers and put thoughtful attention into retaining them.
Re-recruit them. Spend time talking to your team members to understand their motivations and ambitions. Identify where opportunities might exist inside the organization (even if it’s on another team).
Reward them. This is not just about paying people more but also recognizing and valuing their contributions and impact on the team and company. It’s also important to put practices in place to ensure current employees are not shorted when new people are hired.
Engage them. Get employees involved in coming up with solutions for how to make the current situation better. Let them know that you don’t have all the answers and actively seek their help.
Source: “With So Many People Quitting, Don’t Overlook Those Who Stay,” Harvard Business Review, Oct. 1, 2021
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Don’t forget to show gratitude for your team’s hard work. In addition to boosting your team’s morale and motivation, public recognition reinforces that you see and support their endeavors.
But simply saying the words “thank you” isn’t enough. Be clear on why you are grateful—make sure your appreciation is specific, timely and unique to the person you’re acknowledging. The more details you provide, the more meaningful your appreciation will be.
Remember that you don’t need to wait until a project is successfully completed to show appreciation. Acknowledging effort can be very affirming.
Be careful not to exclude anyone. Don’t call out specific teams or people who worked on a project at the risk of neglecting others. The sting of being left out can cause damage.
Source: “What Every Team Wants to Hear From Their Leader,” Real Leaders, Oct. 5, 2021
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