Attracting the Right Workers

This text highlights the need to attract and retain the ablest employees. Managing talent includes planning for succession as people are either promoted or otherwise leave the position. The process starts with attracting the right workers for the organization and then keeping star employees. Managing talent well means helping them to grow, develop and stretch.

The War for Talent

Keeping Star Employees

The war for talent stems from the approaching shortage of workers. As we mentioned earlier in this chapter, the millions of baby boomers reaching retirement age are leaving a gaping hole in the U.S. workforce. What's more, workers are job-hopping more frequently than in the past. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average job tenure has dropped from 15 years in 1980 to 4 years in 2007. As a manager, therefore, you need to give your employees reasons to stay with your company. One way to do that is to spend time talking with employees about their career goals. Listen to their likes and dislikes so that you can help them use the skills they like using or develop new ones they wish to acquire.

Don't be afraid to "grow" your employees. Some managers want to keep their employees in their department. They fear that helping employees grow on the job will mean that employees will outgrow their job and leave it. But, keeping your employees down is a sure way to lose them. What's more, if you help your employees advance, it'll be easier for you to move up because your employees will be better able to take on the role you leave behind.

In some cases, your employees may not be sure what career path they want. As a manager, you can help them identify their goals by asking questions such as:

What assignments have you found most engaging?
Which of your accomplishments in the last six months made you proudest?
What makes for a great day at work?