HR ARTICLE
7 Retention Resolutions managers should make for 2014..
Retaining talented employees
has become a higher priority in an improving job market, with 78 percent of
employers are worried about losing key employees, according to an OI Partners
survey.
Here are some of the top
resolutions managers can make to help retain talent:
1.Coach workers in how to become more influential and persuasive.Explain
the implications of their actions and decisions on internal politics and help
them become savvier. Provide training and guidance in how to craft their
messages to meet the needs of others. Managers are too often frustrated by
employees’ inability to work effectively through others. Teach them how to win
over people in appropriate ways.
2.
Develop employees’ leadership skills. Use challenging
‘stretch assignments’ that motivate workers, require them to learn new skills
and build coalitions. Look for opportunities where members of your team can
step into leadership roles. That may mean you have to be in the background more
and become comfortable with sharing the spotlight.
3.
Improve your feedback and increase their accountability. Most
managers are inconsistent in communicating expectations and holding people
accountable. Be clear about your expectations and give timely feedback to your
team when they do a good job or miss the mark.
4.Tap into employees’ wealth of knowledge and experience. Encourage
employees at all levels to suggest, create and communicate new ideas based on
the direct experience of those on the line. Personally ask people for their
input to get the best recommendations.
5.
Demonstrate continued interest in employee’s careers. Reassure
employees that they are appreciated for the work they're doing. Increase the
frequency of discussions about their careers and one-on-one meetings with their
managers.
6.Recognize and reward contributions. Managers should be
certain they recognize employee contributions, both big and small. A compliment
from the boss can be as effective as a monetary reward. Many employees feel
that their managers do not spend enough time thanking them for a job well done,
but are too quick to criticize them for making mistakes.
7.Build teamwork and provide developmental coaching to workers. Look
for ways to partner employees on projects and concentrate on assembling
compatible teams. Include ground rules on how they should work together, check
in with them periodically throughout the assignment and facilitate a discussion
on what’s working and what’s not. Coordinate a debriefing at the end of the
project for overall feedback and lessons learned. Developmental coaching
sharpens employees' leadership skills and helps retain the most talented
workers.