There is no such thing as a ‘job for life’ any more – there is never any guarantee of continuity in this modern world of commercialisation and market pressures.
People know they have to turn up to work to get paid; everyone needs the money! Once a person takes a job, they more often than not take the path of least resistance – and stay! It’s ‘the devil you know’; the comfort zone of a known quantity, and ‘no surprises’ of a clearly defined role. Loyalty to the company often flows from a habitual commitment to the job, or a feeling of obligation. Not really the super-glue you want in place to retain your team!
Just think how much more engaged they will be if they see how much you value them, and when you take time to tell them how how important their contribution is to the company. You should start to see in them a real desire to work for you, not a passive obligation.
Every day, I wake up and remind myself that today is the day I tell my wife I love her, and that I want to be with her. I joke with her that we should get married all over again – right here right now! I want her to realise afresh how much I value her, and our marriage. I want to make it an easy choice for her to stay married to me – because she ultimately does have a choice!
Similarly showing my commitment to my senior managers at work, and ensuring they know I value them, keeps them engaged and feeling really positive about what they are doing. They re-commit because you make them want to. The need to work becomes a ‘want’ to work.
As their leader you can provide one ‘lifetime guarantee’ to everyone in your team – a guarantee that whilst they work for you they have your personal commitment to an investment in their well-being. Help them go home every day, after every shift, with the feeling of being valued, and satisfied they have contributed to a job well done!
… and when they leave
The majority of people who leave organisations do so not because they fall out with their company, but because they have an issue with their immediate manager. Setting a personal example where you value individuals, will filter slowly but surely through the whole of the organisational structure, including those who manage others. People naturally take their lead from the top. As their leader you have a huge responsibility, and a great opportunity! People say they end up being ‘married’ to their jobs – so through your actions and involvement make sure they value and enjoy their relationship with their work.
One final thought – if one of your team does decide to leave, for whatever reason – make it easy for them to go. Making people work through long notice periods helps no-one. You need committed people surrounding you, not half-hearted ones! Interestingly, in my experience the easier you make it for people to leave, the more they want to stay. The feeling of not being trapped creates a freedom that people appreciate, and where individuals choose to work for you day after day. Once your team members make that choice, they are committed to working for you, in a personal partnership, which is exactly what you want!
