Managers are key to engagement and retention - as the adage says, people don’t leave their job, they leave their manager. So what can managers do to attract and retain their best talent now? This is a summary of an ebook published by Wiley - email me if you want a copy!

1. Develop yourself. If you understand who you are, what your strengths are, and how to lead yourself (self-management), then you set yourself up to lead effectively.

2. Set an example people can’t resist following. The global workforce has changed, which means a paycheck every 2 weeks isn’t enough to get the best effort out of increasingly detached employees. People want to know their work matters - they want a vision that compels them to give their effort to achieve a seemingly insurmountable goal.

3. Understand that communication is key. If you want to engage the people you lead, then make yourself available to them. Even in the age of social distancing and remote work, find ways to connect with your employees one-on-one on a more emotional level in a group setting. It’s during stressful times that people need the support of their managers the most.

4. Help the team see the big picture. It’s easy to get lost in the work we do as individuals and forget what we’re accomplishing in the larger world. To reconnect your team with the purpose behind their actions, take time to explain how their assignments and projects fit into the company’s larger goals, reputation, success, and bottom line.

5. Encourage feedback. Research shows that inspiring, charismatic leaders regularly gather ideas, opinions, and suggestions from the individuals they work with. Make it a point to seek input from people who hold back in group meetings, and after you hear feedback, reiterate one of their points and thank them for their contribution.

6. Don’t underestimate the power of recognition. Giving out regular recognition provides an effective way to motivate employees. Make it direct, specific, sincere, and simple. Accompany recognition with a benefit or reward, personalize it, and make recognizing achievement everyone’s responsibility.

7. Act with decisiveness. Employees will gain more respect for you if you confidently and consistently assert your influence and then stand by your decisions as long as they remain within reason.

8. Create an environment of constant learning and development. Learning incentivizes people to stay with an organization. If they are learning and sharpening skills that can help them earn more, get their dream job or get promoted; they’re going to want to make the most of that opportunity which means staying with your organization.

9. Provide the professional guidance that your team wants. Be the manager who’s also the leader and mentor people want to be around so they find more incentive to work harder for you and stay with your company.

10. Exercise patience with yourself. Developing strong managerial skills takes time - seek guidance from colleagues, your own manager, and your professional network when you need it. In the same way you give your employees the benefit of the doubt with the mistakes they make, do the same for yourself. And remember, you’ve got this.

The PXT Select assessment helps you as a manger by gathering accurate, objective, and reliable data so you can confidently hire, manager, develop and retain productive employees and effective leaders. Contact me for a demo!