Turnover is at an all-time high, and while that means onboarding new staff is taking up most of our time, we must also focus on keeping the staff we have. There are numerous factors that lead to turnover, but the research shows that now more than ever intrinsic motivators – autonomy, mastery, and purpose – are what will keep employees motivated and engaged. In a nutshell, that means organizations must:
- Provide autonomy support – give meaningful feedback, choice in how to do things, and encouragement
- Invest in employee development – foster improvement, continual mastery, and growth
- Connect employees to purpose – show how their work aligns with their values and give them a voice to share their ideas and expertise to make things better
Do you know what all of these have in common? Effective leadership! We need to ensure leaders are meeting employees' needs and providing education, skills, and career mobility.
Review the NCWWI Leadership Tool Kit and determine whether you can use it as a stand-alone aid or as a supplement to other professional development programs at your agency.