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What does it take to find and keep good people at your workplace? A friend of mine found out recently at a special dinner with her team from work.
The senior leadership had invited her team and their families to celebrate a big win. Over dinner, the CEO toasted to the entire group, mentioning how each person had contributed to the organization’s success. In particular, he expressed his sincere appreciation for their efforts and sacrifices over the past year. It took about ten minutes. He didn’t have to do it, but he did.
The effect on my friend was huge. She felt seen, validated and reassured that the work she did mattered. What’s more, her husband was able to join in the celebration of her efforts. More than anyone, he knew how hard she’d worked and was joyous to know that others had seen her effort.
I hear stories of beautiful things like this happening at work every day. People tell me about the little things their manager or supervisor does that make their hearts sing and help lighten their load. Almost always, these acts are small, fleeting, but incredibly impactful. Usually it costs the senior management nothing financially nor energetically.
Often, the manager or supervisor doesn’t have any idea of the impact their comment or acknowledgment had on their people. Yet even more often, I hear the stories of people who feel unseen, unvalued and insignificant in their job.
And it is not just me. Emtrain — a leader in workplace culture diagnostics and insights — found that “only 33 percent to 42 percent of employees feel valued or that they belong in 2020/21.” That means well over 60 percent feel unseen and unvalued.
Over and over again, I hear stories of job misery. People’s primary pain points center on a weak or deteriorating relationship with their boss.
As employers large and small face what many are calling The Big Quit, I hear leaders and business owners complain about the state of the workforce.
- “People lack a work ethic.”
- “No one wants to work anymore.”
- “People’s expectations are way higher than their jobs.”
- “Young people today… scoff and eye-roll.”
- “The hiring market is really tight right now.”
What these leaders get wrong is how much effort and money it takes to hire and keep good employees. Meanwhile, their people feel, much like my friend, that it wouldn’t take much from their leaders for them to feel engaged and motivated. It’s just a few simple things:
- A livable wage
- A boss who notices them.
- A feeling of purpose.
- Safe work conditions.
- A team that cares.
- Occasional positive feedback and appreciation.
People are not machines, and leading isn’t rocket science. It doesn’t take much. What it does take are consistent and straightforward practices that emphasize your people’s humanity.
What little thing can you do today to help someone who works for or with you to feel seen?
Moe Carrick is a best-selling author, coach, speaker and CEO of Moementum, Inc. She believes that everyone deserves to thrive at work.
