Retention Dimensions 2023 - The Extension Dimension
RETENTION DIMENSIONS 2023
Retention Dimension #6: THE EXTENSION DIMENSION
How Can I Expand Engagement Responsibilities to Employees?
In case you missed the first five parts of my Retention Dimensions series, be sure to catch up about the status of the Great Resignation in 2023 and steps you can take to ensure your best employees stick around. In part 6, we’ll move on to the sixth dimension - The Extension Dimension.
OK, so we all know that employees are in charge of their own careers, right? Right, but we also know that dictum frequently elicits a huge, “Yeah, but…” response from both employees and their managers.
“Yeah, but how do I ask for what I want?” “Yeah, but as a manager I’m bound by rules, policies, guidelines, and cultural norms.” “Yeah, but what if my manager says, ‘No’?” “Yeah, but what if I have to say ‘No’?” And perhaps the worst of all, “Yeah, but I don’t know what I want,” or “Yeah, but I don’t know what they want.”
Only the employee can take responsibility for their workplace satisfaction. Yes, there are actions a manager can take, and yes, there are actions the organization’s leaders can take, but in the end it’s mostly up to the employees. They are in charge of finding and working toward their career and development goals. They are the only ones who know how serious they are about those goals – and about taking action toward them.
So, how do you, as a manager, expand engagement responsibilities to your employees? You might start by asking them to complete the following “Employee Action? Readiness Survey” – and then discussing it with them.
Your employees deserve to have meaningful work. Part of your management responsibility is to challenge them to find it rather than immediately searching for it elsewhere or simply leaning on you to read their minds and provide it. Encourage them to articulate what they want, while helping them to find it where they are.
We hope you have enjoyed this Retention Dimensions 2023 Series. Feel free to reach out if there is anything the Bev Kaye & Co team can do to help you!