August 9, 2021 • By the New Iron Blogger
No question, the pandemic has made many tough jobs even more challenging – especially that of a manager. As we continue to emerge, many articles about employee retention report vast numbers of employees preparing to leave because of “burnout,” how they were treated, record “quit rates,” and a lack of talent across most industries. In a recent survey, 47% of business leaders say they worry about keeping employees engaged and productive – as well as just keeping them (see our post on The Great Resignation of 2021).
15Five, a leader in employee engagement and management software, has just released their 2020 Workplace Report, and while there is no quick fix, a solution is emerging – frequent one-on-one meetings. When managers regularly communicate through ongoing one-on-one meetings, especially in work from home and hybrid environments, they increase their effectiveness as managers and their teams and company overall. The numbers are staggering:
- 82% of employees with weekly one-on-ones say they’re getting the support they need during the pandemic from their managers.
- 78% of employees state that weekly one-on-ones provide the necessary feedback they need to improve performance.
- 71% express more trust in their leaders, 72% feel more comfortable bringing up issues, and 73% are more motivated to go above and beyond in their role.
- Importantly, 1.4x are more likely to say they are currently looking for a new job with monthly or less frequent one-on-ones instead of weekly.
Working from home and hybrid work arrangements, while showing increased productivity, also make the employee feel less seen, heard, and valued. Regular one-on-one meetings help bridge the gap – 15Five has even called it “the antidote to micromanagement.” Consider the outside pressures your employees have been under the last (18) months. It is no wonder that “burnout” is often cited as the reason for leaving a company or manager – they are losing the feeling of connectedness to their manager, team, and company. Staying up to date with an employee through weekly meetings helps managers understand how their people are handling their work and where they need more support and guidance.
The message – Talk, or they will walk. Communicate with your people frequently and one-on-one. Company leaders must also show how they are different from other businesses and the steps they will take to attract and retain talent. Absent a strong business case around this, and managers may continue to face a mass exodus of talent and struggle to rehire regardless of communication.
The Answer for Today and Tomorrow
New Iron Solutions realizes that it is more important than ever not just to fill a position but fill it with a candidate that will take your company to the next level. It may be time to bring on an experienced partner to help you navigate this new age as the cost of IT employee turnover and missed opportunities are just too high to ignore. We help drive the achievement of our client company’s strategic goals by identifying middle management to C-Level leadership professionals. They align with the culture, behaviors, and results valued by your organization.
If you have a temporary, project-based, IT, or direct placement need or want to know how we can help, contact New Iron Solutions online today or call 1-844-388-IRON (4766).
