Ever wonder how successful companies inspire loyalty and motivate employees to perform at peak levels while others struggle to retain mediocre performers?

The reality is that in today's world, employees are looking for more than benefits and a paycheck. They want personal satisfaction, meaning and purpose. They're seeking an environment where they matter. Providing this can seem daunting but if you follow these three proven principles you'll be on the fast track to virtually eliminating employee turnover for your organization.

1. Hear Your Employees
When an employee comes to you, be an active listener. This shows them that you value their input and enables you to gather information about their need or issue. Ask clarifying questions to show them you are interested. When they speak, don’t make them feel rushed. Give them the time they need to share their ideas. This helps them to feel like a valued part of the organization. At the end, acknowledge their thoughts and use information you know about their goals and values to set their mind at ease about whatever subject brought them to your office to begin with.

2. Coach Your Employees
When you listen to and acknowledge your employees' ideas you lay the foundation for coaching. If they see you as a trusted advisor you can impact their attitude, performance, and overall satisfaction level. Coaching involves using their ideas to find the common ground and directing their conversations and actions toward achieving specific goals. When done repetitively and enthusiastically your team will be ready for big and small plays throughout their day.

3. Reward Your Employees
Effective employee recognition involves understanding what motivates each member of your team. Regardless of the employee’s contribution to the bottom line, recognize each individual’s efforts. Reward employees for achieving their goals, no matter how large or small, and you will foster an enthusiastic environment. During tight economic times it's important to remember that rewards don't have to be financial in nature. Never underestimate the value of public praise, reserved parking and use of an office for the month. These non-cash incentives also inspire other employees to take a page from the winner's book and work harder with the hope of being recognized themselves.
Today’s employees weren’t spoon-fed the dream of a government job with a pension. In the fast-paced world of the 21st century, 401k plans move and so do people. It’s essential to realize that employing management techniques designed for the Industrial Age won’t keep anyone on your team. To find and retain choice employees, it is essential to understand their motivations, attitudes, and needs. Managers that put time into working one-on-one with their people gain vital insight into what makes each individual tick. By truly hearing your people – their hopes, dreams, and fears – then coaching them to be and do their best, you’ll be amazed at the quality of your team and their collective performance.

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