Retain Employees with a Thank You

Have you found yourself in this situation before? Working diligently to give a company your best work effort, but not feeling appreciated? I know that I have been there before. It’s amazing how just saying “thank you” can improve employee retention.

The Leader’s Role in Employee Retention

I have worked for leaders who had the skillfulness to inspire me to work to the best of my ability. On the other hand, I have had a few bosses that were very weak in their leadership skills. Honestly, if it had not been for my own personal work ethic, their lack of acknowledgement would have demotivated me. It may have even led me to a place of self-doubt as an employee. I say this because as a leader you have the ability to make your employees job amazing, or a living nightmare.

Intrinsically Motivated Employees

The best leaders know that it is important to encourage their employees and to also properly motivate them when needed. You will learn in time that some employees have an intrinsic motivation to work. These employees are a good investment, because they are naturally hard workers. They do not need to have daily motivation from their leader to do a good job. They work hard, because they are people of excellence.

With that being said, it is still important to periodically recognize the contributions of these employees. This is because although they do not require constant praise or appreciation, recognition for a job well done confirms for them that they are working effectively.

Extrinsically Motivated Employees

On the other hand you may have extrinsically motivated employees as well. These are employees who need continual encouragement for any of a number of reasons. They may lack focus or easily become overwhelmed with work. They may have personal issues that are distracting them from their job, or frankly they may not be well suited for their current position. Either way, these employees will tend to need more of your attention. This is because they need help motivating themselves. A simple “thank you” for a job well done, will go a long way with these individuals.

Employee Retention Strategies

As a leader, it is best to learn about the different types of rewards and recognition that can be used to motivate employees. Some employees thrive off of public acknowledgement (ceremonies, certificates, awards, etc.) Others enjoy financial incentives (bonuses or raises), some prefer words of affirmation, others prefer a special privilege (flex time, lunch with the boss, time off, etc.)

One idea would be to send out an anonymous survey to your team to see what motivates them. Another idea is to meet with them one on one (especially when they first join a team), and find out what makes them feel appreciated.

I would like to note that you do not have to go over the top or blow out your department’s budget to show appreciation to your employees. You should, however, do what you can to show your employees that you appreciate them. If this is not a current habit of yours, you could add a reminder to your calendar. You could also seek to acknowledge a different employee each day.

Remember, people will always remember how you make them feel. Employees that feel appreciated tend to be productive and satisfied in the workplace. When your employees feel appreciated, they will be inspired to continue to be their best for your organization

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