Start with Why:
How Your Organization's Success Begins with Understanding What Drives Your Employees
The Center for Children, Families and Workforce Development works with schools and human service, healthcare, early childhood and public health organizations across Montana to train and retain their workforce. In today's dynamic and competitive workforce landscape, organizations must refine their approach to attract and retain talented employees. While employee engagement and satisfaction have traditionally been the focal points of recruitment and retention strategies, a new dimension is emerging – understanding the "stay narrative." An employee’s stay narrative emerges when asked the question, “Why do you choose to remain at and offer your talents to this organization?” By realizing their employees’ underlying motivations, organizations can foster a more purpose-driven and engaged workforce.
There are many ways organizations benefit from learning their employees' "why," including:
Building Meaningful Connections
Every employee has a unique story behind their decision to commit to a particular organization. By initiating conversations to uncover their employees’ "why," organizations can establish a deeper understanding of their team's motivations and aspirations. This understanding helps forge stronger connections between employees and leadership, creating a sense of purpose and belonging.
Cultivating a Purpose-Driven Culture
Discovering the "stay narrative" of employees allows organizations to shape a purpose-driven culture. By understanding what motivates their employees, such as a desire to positively impact their community or a passion for personal growth, organizations can create an environment that nurtures their workers' passions and values. When employees connect their personal values with the organization's mission, they are more likely to experience increased engagement and job satisfaction, driving innovation, collaboration, and overall performance.
Unleashing Talent and Potential
By engaging in conversations about employees’ “why,” organizations can gain valuable insights into the unique skills, talents, and aspirations of their team members. This knowledge enables organizations to better align employees' strengths and goals with the right opportunities, roles, and responsibilities. By harnessing and maximizing their talent, organizations can create a more agile, effective and fulfilled team.
In the next Montana Minute, we’ll highlight some of the “whys” we uncovered during the Center’s recent staff retreat and offer ideas on how you can facilitate discussion around purpose-driven work with your employees.
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