At the end of the year, annual employee appraisals take place in many companies. These meetings – which are actually a great opportunity for all involved – are often insufficiently prepared by both sides in the hectic pace of the end of the year. In these meetings HR staff like to work through lists without any emotional interest, while both sides talk more or less constructively and appreciatively about self- and external perception, negotiate target agreements, salary increases, bonuses and other goodies and then agree to meet again in a year.
A year is long…
But what could happen within the space of one year? A host of things can change at an increasingly rapid pace – and accordingly, many agreements will become obsolete not only after a year, but even much earlier. Even more serious is the fact that in a year without any constructive discussions, a gap arises that is often difficult to overcome. This is particularly critical if you want to keep an employee. And that is true even more so in times in which working people no longer assume that they have got a job for life, but dare to take the plunge much earlier.
So how can you recognise employees’ wishes for change in good time? If you keep your eyes and ears open, you’ll know when someone is starting to drift away: There is a lack of willingness to be bound to longer projects. There is more reaction than action. Under certain circumstances there may be open criticism or none at all. Every change in behaviour speaks volumes. As long as you are in regular contact with your employees, you can take countermeasures at an early stage. If you don’t, you – as a supervisor – might be very surprised when promising talents actually submit their resignations.
This is where some rethinking has to be done. Today it’s all about making companies so flexible that valuable employees have the space to develop their talents. After all, why should someone be willing to give in and become streamlined just because the company doesn’t actually allow new ideas that should provide a breath of fresh air?
If it is important for you to always stay in close contact with your employees, and to recognise and realise their ambitions and talents in order to increase your own success too. Just give me a call!
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