Leaders in all organizations need to have a basic understanding of motivation techniques to be able to utilize the talent of their employees. Management will not be able to affect motivation unless they understand their employee needs and the importance employees place on those needs. Matching roles in an organization and developing assignments that match an employee interest is a key element in retaining talented employees.
When you have hired talented and promising new employees, their first few days and weeks with an organization are crucial to retaining their talent. This is the period where lasting first impressions of the organization are embedded forever in the minds of new employees. The effort to welcome a new hire is the first step to assist them to be successful and share their talent and ideas with an organization.
Management should have some type of survival tool in place for the new employees to guide them through the ins and outs of the organization. Basic information and little details need to be made available about their job expectations. These are the little details and facts that often are missed in an employee orientation period. This will help give the employee a clear expectation and suggestions to get them oriented successfully. Often things are assumed that an employee understands how the organization works and many times there has not been an accurate picture given to new employees. If you want talented staff to stay, it needs to be all laid out on the table.
Talented staff are driven and want to do a good job. An employee will feel good about themselves when they do a good job. Employees will feel discouraged if they do not do well. Talented motivated employees want to feel control and make decisions. Retention will be enhanced when the employees have the ability to influence things that happen in their work environment. A good point to always remember is that leaders in an organization will maximize talent when they can maximize the amount of control each employee has.
Talented employees do not want to be held accountable for situations and responsibilities that are beyond their control. Employees need to have their talents and work respected and feel appreciated. Employees that do not feel valued will leave an organization. Resources need to be made available for the employee to accomplish their tasks. Not providing an employee with the resources needed to accomplish their goals will lead to an unhappy employee and one that is more likely to leave.
Talented employees do not want to be micromanaged. Steps should be in place for an employee to do a job well. Smart organizations will have checkpoints in place and sit down with the employee and make sure they are on the right path and can accomplish their tasks successfully. Guidance should always be available to them but not be always right in their face. Every employee needs space to think and work. Talented employee will not be effective if they feel they are walled in.
Management should be providing ongoing feedback. Employees need to be able to review their progress and have the ability to understand when they may need to do something differently. This is a method where employees can take advantage of the knowledge that is shared with them and help with their development in the organization. Employee should be made aware of the rewards for doing a good Job. This is a good place for involving employee feedback on rewards and incentives that are in place for retaining talented staff.
Always encourage new employees to build relationships with other employees in an organization. Other employees should be supporting their efforts and assist them in their goals and showing that their work is appreciated. Talented employees want to make a difference in the organization. If talented staff are acknowledged and feel part of the organization, the more likely they will stay and continue to add to the success of an organization.