For the past two years, we’ve all watched the evolutionary workplace processes prompted by the Great Resignation. Take flexible work arrangements, for example. They’re now the norm in many industries that used to claim jobs couldn’t be done well remotely. However, one outcome of the mass employee exodus still needs to be explored and examined: how to help employees feel like their work matters.
Do employees actually care if they’re progressing in some way? According to research, yes. Of those who quit their job in 2021, Pew Research Center found that 63% cited no path to advancement as the reason. In other words, they had no way to realize their goals at their companies—so they left in the hopes of finding new employers that wouldn’t thwart their growth.
If you’re a leader, you must pay attention to figures like those. Even if your team members seem satisfied and aren’t quietly quitting, they might still feel like they’re spinning their wheels. In that case, they might not be your team members for much longer.
Rather than risk preventable attrition, consider applying the following management strategies. Each one is designed to turn your workplace into a space where employees can name, claim, and exceed their personal goals.
1. Acknowledge and accept that everyone has different goals: Tonya Towles, founder and CEO of The PCS Pro Team
You already know your personal goals as an entrepreneur, CEO, or executive. Just don’t assume that all your employees share your goals. That’s a huge mistake, but it’s one that many high performers make. What makes it so potentially disastrous? You’ll be dangling the wrong carrot and won’t realize your workers are uninspired until it’s too late.
