In today's competitive job market, retaining great employees is crucial for the success of any company. As a leader, it is your responsibility to create an environment that inspires loyalty and commitment among your team members. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to leadership, there are certain qualities that effective leaders possess. In this article, we will explore these key qualities and provide practical tips on how to retain great employees.
According to HR News Approximately 43% of UK workers have left a position due to poor management, and of those currently exploring new job opportunities, 53% are considering a change primarily because of their present manager, as per a recent study conducted by a people analytics firm Visier. Bad management in business can be a real problem for employee retention so we are going to take a look at what makes a great manager. If business owners and managers take these issues to heart then this will have a direct impact on employee retention and turnover. We are currently experiencing a candidate-short market, so at the moment keeping great employees with positive management practices is of paramount importance.
Let's start this blog off by saying this, PLEASE, read the classic book - 'How to Win Friends and Influence People.' Just this action alone will point you in the right direction of what it is to be a great manager and mentor. We have mentioned this book numerous times over the last few years of blogging, it really is a classic. How to Win Friends and Influence People is a self-help book written by Dale Carnegie, published in 1936. Over 30 million copies have been sold worldwide, making it one of the best-selling books of all time! A number of high-profile business leaders including Richard Branson and Warren Buffet have credited the book as “changing their life”! This is an old book but full of timeless wisdom, miss it at your peril, read it and implement and it can be a game changer for you and your business.
If you are interested in delving more into this book we love this summary below by Hubspot it gives you a good idea of what to expect.
Now you know we love this book let's look at some other examples of how to be a good manager and leader!
Lead by Example
Leaders who lead by example inspire and motivate their employees. When you demonstrate the qualities and behaviours you expect from your team members, you create a culture of accountability and high performance. By rolling up your sleeves and actively participating in tasks and projects, you show your employees that you are willing to do whatever it takes to achieve success.
Leading by example also means being open to feedback and criticism. Create an environment where employees feel comfortable sharing their ideas and concerns. By actively listening and responding to feedback, you show that you value your employees' opinions and are committed to continuous improvement.
Build Strong Relationships
As a leader, it is essential to build strong relationships with your employees. Take the time to get to know each team member on an individual level. Understand their strengths, goals, and aspirations. By showing a genuine interest in your employees' well-being, you create a sense of belonging and loyalty.
One way to build relationships is by organising team outings or social events outside of the office. These activities provide an opportunity for team members to connect on a personal level and foster a sense of camaraderie. When employees feel valued and appreciated, they are more likely to stay committed to the organisation.
Be a Trustworthy Leader
Trust is the foundation of any successful relationship, including the relationship between a leader and their employees. As a leader, it is essential to be transparent, honest, and consistent in your actions and communication. When employees trust their leader, they are more likely to feel valued, motivated, and committed to their work.
To build trust, it is important to keep your promises and honour your commitments. If you have offered growth opportunities, mentorship, or additional training, ensure that you follow through. By demonstrating your dedication to your employees' success, you show that you are a leader who can be trusted.
Encourage Collaboration and Communication
Effective leaders understand the importance of collaboration and communication within a team. Encourage open and honest communication among team members and create opportunities for collaboration on projects and initiatives. By fostering a collaborative environment, you promote innovation and creativity.
Implement regular team meetings and check-ins to ensure that everyone is on the same page. Encourage employees to share their ideas and perspectives. Recognize and appreciate their contributions. By fostering a culture of collaboration and communication, you create a sense of belonging and teamwork that inspires loyalty among your employees.
Be Approachable
Great managers and leaders find time for their staff, they are approachable, good listeners and they will take a sincere interest in them. They will support people with any challenges they may have and put strategies in place to help them.
Provide Opportunities for Advancement
Great employees are always looking for opportunities to grow and advance in their careers. As a leader, it is your responsibility to provide these opportunities within your organisation. Create a clear career development path that outlines the steps employees can take to advance their careers.
Offer training programs, mentorship opportunities, and challenging assignments that allow employees to develop new skills and expand their knowledge. By investing in their professional growth, you show that you value their potential and are committed to their long-term success.
Clear Core Values
Great leaders and managers set examples of behaviour they want to see, they practice what they preach. They show respectful behaviour wanting it to be emulated throughout the organisation and have positive key values that other people can be guided by.
Foster a Culture of Learning and Growth
Great leaders understand the importance of continuous learning and development. They encourage their employees to expand their skills and knowledge, creating a culture of growth within the organisation. By investing in employee development, leaders show that they value their employees as individuals and are committed to their long-term success.
There are several ways to foster a culture of learning. Encourage employees to attend seminars, workshops, or industry conferences. Provide opportunities for mentorship and coaching. Implement a goal-oriented review process that allows for regular feedback and identifies areas for improvement. By prioritising employee development, you not only retain great employees but also foster a culture of innovation and excellence within your team.
Responsibility
Some people want more responsibility and some people don't. Great managers find out who these people are and tailor the amount of responsibility they can share with them. This way they can give support where needed and set appropriate challenges for individual people.
Criticism and Feedback
Great managers make it easy for team members to raise concerns and give feedback. Responding in a positive way to criticism and showing appreciation to people when they have raised their concerns is important. Openness to feedback from a manager also makes employees more open to feedback themselves.
Clear Vision
Knowing the overall direction of the company, its ethos and goals are vitally important for a leader. We covered this in our blog 'Characteristics of High-Performing Teams'. High-performing teams are focused on clearly defined goals, objectives and a shared vision that the whole team works to achieve. This is the philosophy of the Mercedes F1 team, so I think from that we can safely say it is a successful one!
Innovative and Critical Thinking
Encouraging innovation and critical thinking in a team are all good traits of a good manager. High-performing teams are always wanting to move forward and improve. Enabling this in the company culture and actively encouraging the team to contribute toward it is a real positive aspect of management. Another benefit of innovation is that it encourages a culture where people are more receptive to change.
Support Work-Life Balance
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is essential for employee well-being and retention. As a leader, it is important to support your employees in achieving this balance. Encourage flexible working arrangements, such as remote work or flexible hours, to accommodate personal commitments and responsibilities.
Promote a culture of self-care and wellness within your team. Encourage employees to take breaks, prioritise their mental and physical health, and disconnect from work when needed. By supporting work-life balance, you create a positive and supportive work environment that fosters employee loyalty.
Provide Opportunities for Advancement
Great employees are always looking for opportunities to grow and advance in their careers. As a leader, it is your responsibility to provide these opportunities within your organisation. Create a clear career development path that outlines the steps employees can take to advance their careers.
Offer training programs, mentorship opportunities, and challenging assignments that allow employees to develop new skills and expand their knowledge. By investing in their professional growth, you show that you value their potential and are committed to their long-term success
Recognise and Reward Success
Employees who feel valued and appreciated are more likely to stay engaged and committed to their work. As a leader, it is important to recognise and reward the achievements of your team members. Celebrate their successes, whether big or small, and publicly acknowledge their contributions.
Recognition can take many forms, such as verbal praise, bonuses, or promotions. Tailor your rewards to the preferences and needs of your employees. By recognising and rewarding success, you create a positive and motivating work environment that encourages employee loyalty.
Summary
Retaining great employees is a vital aspect of effective leadership. By embodying the qualities discussed in this article, you can create a work environment that inspires loyalty, commitment, and growth. Be a trustworthy leader, foster a culture of learning and growth, lead by example, build strong relationships, encourage collaboration and communication, recognise and reward success, provide opportunities for advancement, and support work-life balance. By implementing these strategies, you can retain great employees and build a high-performing team that drives the success of your organisation.
There are lots of books out there on great management, we have only scratched the surface with a few tips. But, we think it all comes down to a few things. Be nice, treat people as you would like to be treated, motivate people and use creativity to challenge and engage with people. We think these are really good starting points!
We have some great articles on strategies to better retain staff, these are all worth your time reading through them:
Characteristics of High-Performing Teams
How visual learning can boost your business and aid employee retention
Tools For Employee Retention ( part 1)
How to Increase Workplace Communication
Are flexible Working Methods Your Company’s Future?
Attracting & Managing The Best Temporary Workers In A Challenging Work Economy