Powerful Questions for Leaders, no. 15

What do your employees need to stay?

Leaders the world over are stressing about the hashtag#greatresignation. With employment pipelines drying up and a dazzling array of open positions, it’s no wonder you’re feeling this way. How on earth will you find new employees and, perhaps more importantly, hang on to the ones you already have?

Here’s the surprisingly simple answer: Ask them.

That’s right, ask. No, I don’t mean send out yet another pulse survey, or hire an expensive consulting firm.

When I say ask, I mean really ask. When was the last time you had a genuine, honest, real conversation with any of your employees?

Employees are hashtag#people (not resources), and people need human connection. And meaning. And a break to pick up their kids at school. Or collect their thoughts. Or just stare at the clouds. Or any number of other, equally valuable things.

So if you want to hold on to your employees, ask them what they need to stay, one by one, in personal, face-to-face conversations.

And then give it to them.

It’s that simple.

Article: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/15/magazine/anti-ambition-age.html