How Caring Leaders Drive Employee Retention
Now more than ever, employees are hungry for leaders who show they care about them. It’s no surprise, then, that healthy leaders genuinely show people what and who they care about.
Caring builds trust, and trust creates loyalty. Loyalty is why people stay with their employers. Leaders must continuously foster employee well-being in the workplace to retain and recruit their talent — or risk watching them walk out the door.
A Gallup survey asked employees what they want from their managers. “A lot more” is the short answer.
Results showed, “Among employees who strongly agree that they can approach their manager with any type of question, 54% are engaged. When employees strongly disagree (that they can approach their manager), only 2% are engaged, while 65% are actively disengaged.” While cut-throat cultures may succeed in the short term, caring leaders create long-term success.
By showing they care, leaders can boost their employees’ well-being, teamwork, and engagement, as well as overall organizational impact.
How do great leaders show employees they care?
- They LISTEN.
When employees know leadership listens to them, they feel a tremendous sense of value and worth, which, in turn, makes them feel genuinely cared for.
YOU CAN: Learn the principles of active listening, starting with being in the moment with that person. Tune out other distractions and demonstrate interest by asking a question. - They CELEBRATE.
Great leaders recognize individuals’ contributions and celebrate their accomplishments.
YOU CAN: Thank employees for their hard work, persistence, and resilience. Make people feel like heroes and show them you appreciate them. - They are EMOTIONALLY INTELLIGENT.
By being aware of their own emotions and the emotions of others, great leaders are thoughtful and approachable, can admit mistakes, and know when to apologize. They can also accept criticism and responsibility. EQ is a leadership superpower!
YOU CAN: Show vulnerability by apologizing for making a wrong call. Show your team how to receive feedback gracefully by making it a learning moment. Unlike IQ, EQ can be developed; learn more about it and create an action plan for yourself. - They get PERSONAL.
Great leaders show genuine interest in people’s lives. They ask about things that are important to the individual and really listen. They do this with everyone on the team, not just those in higher ranks.
YOU CAN: Make a personal connection with everyone who works with you and for you. Welcome all new employees who come on board, and make a habit of learning something new about someone every day. But most importantly, make a personal connection with every team member, even if it feels awkward at first. The more you do it, the easier it becomes.
Leaders who understand the importance of caring and connection make it a priority every day. Leadership is a responsibility, after all.
Droste can help you develop extraordinary leaders who build healthy organizations. Contact us to learn more about our solutions.
