After having spent years discussing indicators for lack of engagement at work with dissatisfied clients, and obtaining valuable firsthand knowledge of factors for employee engagement and motivation I moved into Leadership Coaching to have greater impact.
This knowledge along with my prior experience helping teams work together, and my on-going learning has served me well for my current work empowering leaders.
What Employee’s really want:
- A leader that knows them uniquely and is interested in them. Be “interested rather than interesting”.
- Stretching assignments and projects. Employees want to obtain mastery and be challenged. This is so important to avoid boredom and poor performance.
- A leader that is a mentor. Everyone wants guidance to move forward to the next step in their career journey.
- Autonomy NOT micro-management. Employees want a supportive approachable leader that is available if they need help, yet leaves them to come up with their own approach to doing something.
- Clear expectations. Employees want to know what is expected of them.
- Time sensitive feedback. So many times I have heard “tell me at the time so that I can do something about it. The yearly review is too late!”.
- Most people will trade something for increased flexibility.
- A purpose and higher meaning. If employees do not see the ‘way’ they are less likely to feel motivated to do something.
- It is so affirming to hear, “You did a great job there”. For added value, make the praise more specific.
- Fun and friendships at work. Maybe this should be the first point. Employees will stay for this reason alone. I did.
PS Did I mention reward and money? Make sure they are adequately reimbursed for their service. This is a basic starting point.