27.11.2020
Labor market: Work or vocation
Today, good pay is not a sufficient motivator. People want their work to be meaningful and relevant to others. Although this fact complicates the work of managers, it also opens up new opportunities for them. The opportunity to personalize the work of their employees to such an extent that it becomes something more - from work to vocation.
According to LinkedIn's Workforce Learning Report 2019, 94% of employees say they would stay longer in a company if it invested more in them and supported them in their endeavors. Why don't more companies do just that? It is very likely that the problem comes from the fact that they do not know where to start.
The idea of creating strictly personalized working conditions for every employee seems challenging, but it is far from unattainable. Here are some things you can do to transform your job into a vocation.
Institutionalize support and gratitude
Studies show that even the smallest manifestations of kindness in gratitude have a positive effect on others as well as on ourselves. These demonstrations also help maintain a positive mindset. "It's important to commit to encouraging gratitude and care, because the secret of success lies in repetition," said Dr. Wagiu William Isaac, a professor of psychiatry at Cedars-Sinai.
Find and use each employee's unique strengths
Recognizing and developing strengths is a guaranteed way to increase employee job satisfaction. Human resources experts and managers need to create roles in the work that help people develop their unique qualities and grow both as professionals and as individuals.
Make building relationships between employees a priority
The feeling of connection with others is not only a basic human need, but also a motivator that can make a seemingly hopeless situation in a completely insurmountable obstacle. People can build a sense of connection with both their colleagues and the company they work for. In order for a person's work to become a vocation, both are needed.
However, strengthening these links requires discussing a variety of topics, including non-work-related ones. That is why it is important to provide your employees with a place and time to rest and socialize. When managers encourage their employees to talk about their dreams and the goals they want to achieve in their lives, they receive the information they need to build a stronger connection between the company's values and mission and people's individual aspirations.
Mark both big and small successes
Achieving goals, progressing in an important project and acquiring new skills and knowledge are things that have a positive impact not only on the individual, they can boast of them, but also for everyone else. Leaders need to find a way to show their employees how their work helps others. Celebrate all the successes of your employees and do not miss the opportunity to evaluate the contribution they have to the growth of your company.
Invest in a manager-employee relationship
Managers have a huge impact on the way employees do their jobs. Unfortunately, many managers do not make the necessary efforts to provide their subordinates with what they need. Managers need to set clear goals for their teams, provide timely and constructive feedback, and cultivate good relationships with their employees. Many of these things require social skills that can take years to master and improve. That's why it's important to focus on them as early as possible.
Everyone has the potential to be a better version of themselves. Companies need to start looking at this potential as an unprecedented opportunity to attract, motivate and retain talent. Using the practices mentioned here, they can help their employees turn their responsibilities from work into a vocation.
