Preemptive Employee Engagement

People want to feel that they have a voice, that their work is appreciated and that their contribution has an impact. The fact is it’s not just about better money–as the old adage goes, people don’t leave companies, they leave bosses.

An improving economy calls for better Leadership Presence…that is, if you want your employees to stay.

The good news: The economy is slowly coming back.

The bad news: “I quit” are two words that are increasingly heard these days.

A recent Wall Street Journal story stated that as the economy improves, the number of employees voluntarily leaving their jobs is spiking. Research by human resources consultant Right Management, also quoted in the story, alarmingly states that as many as 60% of those surveyed are planning to leave their jobs when the economy comes back. Right Management goes on to suggest that leaders reach out to workers before they leave to try and re-engage them with the company.

So how do we do that effectively? How do we keep our employees engaged and loyal? People want to feel that they have a voice, that their work is appreciated and that their contribution has an impact. The fact is it’s not just about better money–as the old adage goes, people don’t leave companies, they leave bosses.

As a leader at The Ariel Group, I look to our PRES model for Leadership Presence in these situations. Using the elements of this model as a guide is a great way to be sure I am connecting and building strong relationships with my employees. Let me share them with you here:

• Be present. When I’m interacting with my people, I work hard to give them my full attention. I try and clear out the mental clutter of emails, deadlines and obligations that fills my head and focus entirely on the individual.
• Reach out to your employees. I ask questions and listen. I attempt to find out not just what they are doing but how they are feeling about what they are doing and what I can do to help them be more successful.
• Bring expressiveness to your interactions. As a leader, I realize I am responsible for the level of energy in the room. My tone of voice and the words I choose send messages. I tell stories and use metaphors to keep people engaged and invested.
• Get to know yourself. People will follow you and remain loyal if they believe in you. As leaders, it starts with believing in ourselves. I work hard at understanding who I am and what I stand for and try to embody my beliefs in every interaction.

Employing these skills into your interactions could help you save a valued employee and avoid the cost and disruption of turnover. The additional bonus: your work environment and day-to-day business tasks will be more enjoyable and productive.

Have you made any changes to your personal leadership strategy now that the economy is coming back?