So, word on the street is that there’s a storm brewing in the world of work—a mass employee exodus is on the horizon. Now, if you’re sitting in the big chair (yes, that’s you, the boss), this might have you wondering: How do I keep my team from hitting the eject button?
The Great Escape
First things first, let’s set the scene. Imagine it’s just another manic Monday and you hear whispers around the water cooler. A whopping 52% of workers are thinking of quitting! Yes, you heard that right. More than half your team might be plotting their escape. But why? Well, it seems they’re not feeling the love anymore. Disengagement is through the roof, folks feel disconnected, and some are just plain burnt out.
Why Your Office Feels Like a Ghost Town
Dig a little deeper and you’ll find that the root of the problem isn’t always the big, scary issues. Sometimes it’s the small things that count. Maybe it’s that their achievements go unnoticed, or perhaps the weekly Zoom check-ins feel more like a parole hearing than a team huddle. And let’s not even start on the number of times they’ve had to eat lunch at their desks this month.
What Can You Do About It?
Alright, enough doom and gloom. Let’s talk solutions. How do you turn your office from a place people want to flee to a place they’re excited to be? Here are a few strategies:
Get Real with Relationships
It’s time to switch from being a boss to being a leader. Leaders know their team’s names, their stories, and what makes them tick. And no, not just for the sake of small talk. Really connect. Show genuine interest. Remember, a little empathy goes a long way.
Make Work Worth It
People want to feel part of something bigger. It’s not just about the paycheck at the end of the month. What’s the mission? What’s the big, hairy, audacious goal everyone is working towards? Make sure everyone knows they’re not just cogs in the machine—they’re the dream team making things happen.
Keep the Doors Open
Feedback shouldn’t just flow downhill. Keep the lines of communication open and always be ready to listen. When your team feels heard, they feel valued. And who doesn’t want to stick around where they’re valued? Set up regular check-ins, not just to review performance but to ask, “Hey, how are things really going?”
Celebrate Everything
Got a team member who just nailed a tough project? Celebrate it. Another who’s always helping everyone out? Give them a shoutout. Big wins, small wins, and everything in between—make a big deal out of them. It’s about creating an atmosphere where everyone feels like a winner.
Building Lasting Loyalty
In the end, keeping your team onboard is about making them feel like they belong to something special. It’s about creating an environment where they can grow, feel supported, and actually want to come to work. So, take a hard look at your team culture. Is it something you’d want to be part of? If not, you’ve got some work to do. Roll up your sleeves, it’s time to turn the tide on turnover.
Great People, Great Careers
At Continental Search, we believe in connecting great people with great careers. With a network of over 10,000 industry experts in animal health and sciences and live production and processing, we offer valuable insights and career opportunities to professionals, while helping employers find the skilled candidates they need. Ready to advance your career or build your team? Let’s work together. Contact us today to learn more about what makes Continental Search different.
Reference: Schmidt, Karen. “Paying Attention to Retention” SRA Update
About the Author
Rick Pascual is the Practice Director for ruminant health and nutrition at Continental Search, a leading recruiting team in the animal sciences. He is a NAPS Certified Personnel Consultant and leads all the research and recruiting for dairy and beef. Rick mostly recruits sales, technical and management professionals for feed manufacturers, feed additive suppliers, and animal pharma.
For the latest job opportunities, connect with Rick on LinkedIn or email him at rick@continentalsearch.com.
