What do you make of this? The mass resignations reported last year in the US from professionals to front line workers, many in the thick of it all during the pandemic.
In 2022, is this something we should be paying attention to and doing something about?
With what’s been happening in the world, it’s no surprise that so many people have, and are, re-evaluating what’s important to them. Even if a tsunami of resignations doesn’t reach us, it has thrown an important light on the growing expectation of workers, trending well before COVID, for more meaning in their jobs and greater life-work balance.
We’re also seeing from research a shift in what Australians expect from leaders, looking to them to be more community minded and sensitive to the needs of people in their decision-making. This has come as a compounded challenge for employers also facing a level of skills shortages in some sectors not seen for some time creating an interesting transfer of power from employers to staff.
The upshot of our shared experience is that it opens up a tremendous opportunity for leaders to align themselves with what their employees really want from them.
So, what steps can you take to start making a positive difference within your own organisation as a leader, manager or business owner?
- First of all, you need to articulate how your organisation is making a positive difference in the world (or in the lives of others!) in order for employees to find meaning in their roles.
- Retaining your team members requires putting effort in developing and maintaining relationships. More than ever, you NEED to invest in these relationships….and NOW!
- Change is inevitable and constant. Be willing to be flexible with your best team members and look at the bigger picture gains.
- If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it. If you were to ask your team members to rate on a scale of 1-10 how likely they would recommend to others to come to work for your organisation, what would your results be?
Although adjusting to the new leadership landscape will take time, it will help you create a competitive advantage when it comes to attracting and holding onto great team members.
If you would like further ideas to help you build a more engaging and meaningful workplace, including information about team alignment sessions and future-ready management training, get in touch today for a confidential chat.
