Everyone’s hiring. And everyone knows everyone’s hiring. Job seekers are calling the shots in today’s job market. There is a shortage of workers and an abundance of work. The competition for finding and keeping employees is high, and the competition for great employees is even higher.
When it comes to hiring, as with most things in life, quality beats quantity. The best leaders understand this and make finding and keeping talented personnel a priority. Salary, benefits, bonuses, and office perks all can be a big attraction. But these aren’t the only attractions.
Patrick Lencioni is an author and the CEO of The Table Group, a company that helps businesses achieve “organizational health.” Lencioni explains that healthy organizations have three main “weapons” in the “war for talent”: being known, feeling relevant, and measuring success.
- Being known. The idea is that managers who get to know their employees on a more personal level have loyal teams who are more satisfied with their jobs. It is human nature to want to feel seen and cared for by others. Companies that have a reputation for demonstrating compassion for and appreciation of their employees are not only more likely to hire top candidates but maintain longevity as well.
- Feeling relevant. Humans want to matter. It’s important for people to know they are making a positive difference and that what they do is impactful, even when it comes to work. While feeling this way daily is most likely not realistic, it is beneficial to employees and companies to recognize the small (and big) wins and accomplishments. Managers who want to hire and keep outstanding employees will make sure that each of them understands their role and relevance.
- Measuring success. Employees shouldn’t have to wonder how they are performing at work. Expectations and goals should be clearly identified and routinely measured so that there are no surprises. Everyone on your team should be able to access a clear and objective measurement of their performance. Constructive criticism and small celebrations of success lead to content teams and employees.
Good leaders know that behind every successful company is a creative, hardworking, loyal, and talented staff. Great leaders not only know how to recruit stellar talent, but also how to keep them motivated and happy with their jobs.