Turnover is at an all-time high. While you are focusing on attracting new workers, don’t forget to strategize ways to engage the employees you have. Consider these tips for boosting morale and staff satisfaction:
- Create terra firma. Particularly in the past two years, it feels like change is constant. While your teams may be agile and resilient, it is important to give them a sense of predictability, security, and normalcy. Share your organization’s plans for the future with your employees. Make it clear that you hope they will stay and that you value their contributions.
- Seek feedback to determine how everyone is handling the changes and challenges. Touch base regularly to determine if people are feeling overwhelmed and, if so, what you can do to help. At the least, it will be useful to help them see a light at the end of the tunnel and an anticipated end date for their challenges.
- Enable autonomy. Get everyone aligned on collective goals but give them some flexibility and leeway about how to handle their duties and complete their tasks. Give staff a say in solutions to issues affecting them.
- Give your workers permission to say ‘no.’ Expecting people to go the extra mile in challenging time isn’t unusual, but your teams shouldn’t be expected to make sacrifice after sacrifice with no reward for their efforts or time to recharge. They need to be able to say when they have had enough or can’t do anymore without fear of retribution or punishment.
- Create connections. Address big challenges and problems together. Encourage team members to seek advice and guidance from others. Make it clear that there is no shame in needing others’ assistance and support.
