TWELVE WAYS TO KEEP GOOD PEOPLE

By John Maxwell, Maximum Impact Club

A study by the Gallup Organization addressed the issue of what attracts the best employees to a company what makes them stay.  Twelve questions have been identified which appear to measure the "core elements" needed to attract the most loyal, productive, and talented employees. These twelve questions were culled from questions asked in interviews with over a million employees over the past 25 years. Using factor analysis, regression analysis, concurrent validity studies, focus groups, and follow-up interviews, Gallup statisticians isolated the questions that most accurately measure the likelihood that a given workplace will attract and keep the best people.

1.   Do I know what is expected of me at work?  Issue: Expectations.

Two Questions to ask when sharing expectation:

(1) What do you want them to know? 

(2) What do you want them to do?

Share expectations with Consistency and Simplicity.

2.   Do I have the materials and equipment I need to do my work right?  Issue: Resources.

85% of people cannot implement without resources. - Stanford Research

·         Determine resources based on productivity and potential not requests.

·         The best resources in the hands of the best people give the best results.

3.   At work, do I have the opportunity to do what I do best everyday?  Issue: Matching ability with responsibilities.  The Law of the Niche - Each Player has a Place Where They Add the Most Value. *

·         What do you do well … DEVELOP daily.  What do you do poorly … DELEGATE daily.

·         Counseling Leaders work on the weaknesses of their people, Equipping Leaders on their strengths.

4.   In the past seven days, have I received recognition or praise for good work?  Issue: Positive Recognition.

He who praises everybody praises nobody - Samuel Johnson

Rules for Recognition

·         It must be Sincere; Specific; Immediate; and Public.

·         It must be given by a person others Respect and as an Incentive and Example to others.

5.   Does my supervisor, or someone at work, seem to care about me as a person?  Issue: Care.

People do not care how much you know until they know how much you care.

6.   Is there someone at work who encourages my development?  Issue: Growth.

It is only as we develop others that they permanently succeed, and it is only as we develop others that we permanently succeed. - Harvey Firestone

·         A stretch atmosphere replaces a grim, heads-down determination to be as good as you have to be, as asks instead, how good can you be?

·         A distinguishing difference between Average versus Achieving people is their desire to Continually Grow.

7.   At work, do my opinions seem to count?  Issue: Influence.

What Makes Good Leaders Good

·         Good Leaders are good Listeners and encourage the Participation of their people.

·         Good Leaders give Credit for good ideas and opinions and Ignore bad ideas and opinions.

·         Good Leaders continually Ask for the opinions and ideas of people who have good ones.

·         Has a good leader asked for your opinions lately?

8.   Does the mission of my company make me feel my work is important?  Issue: Significance.  Great men undertake great things because they are great; Fools because they think that they are easy. - Vauvenargues

9.   Are my co-workers committed to doing quality work?  Issue: Team Excellence

It isn't hard to be good from time to time … What's tough is being good every day. - Willie Mays

The Law of the Chain - The strength of the Team is Impacted by its Weakest Link

·         Individual Effort: 10 + 10 + 10 + 10 + 10 = 50 versus 10 + 10 + 10 + 10 + 5 = 45; 10% less effective.

·         Team Effort: 10 x 10 x 10 x 10 x 10 = 100,000 versus 10 x 10 x 10 x 10 x 5 = 50,000; 50% less effective.

10. Do I have a best friend at work?  Issue: Relationships

The Law of Relationships - Working Together Increases the Odds of Winning Together. *

11. In the past Six Months have I talked with someone about my progress?  Issue: Accountability.

The unexamined life is the life not worth living. - Plato

Five Accountability Questions

(1) What did you accomplish this year and how do you know? 

(2) What do you need to learn?

(3) What is your failure pattern? - how do you get out of your own way?

(4) What can others do to support you? 

(5) What can you do to support others?

12. At work, have I had opportunities to learn and to grow?  Issue: Opportunities.

* From the book The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork by John Maxwell