2023 is off to an amazing start with many wonderful global events ahead. We have Walt Disney Company’s centennial in February, King Charles III’s coronation in May, The OSIRIS-REX NASA mission will return to Earth with exploration results of the Asteroid Bennu in September, IBM debuts a 1000+ qubit quantum computer and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (the last chapter) is set for release.
With new world leaders, extensive space travel, advancing computers and amazing movies, 2023 has great potential. While technology and imagination are pairing throughout the globe, creating new adventures, what amazing accomplishment are you seeking in your career in 2023?
A Recommendation
I would like to recommend one area of focus if you work in management or organizational leadership. 2023 is a year you want to find professional and organizational success in recruitment and retention. According to Monster’s Global Report (2022):
- 9 out of 10 employers are struggling to fill jobs.
- 29% of employers state that skills gaps in their current workforce have increased.
- 43% of employers think they will continue to offer hybrid work.
- Current employees are routinely targeted by significant offers by other employers.
This is shocking information. Not only are employers struggling to hire qualified candidates, but qualified candidates are being contacted and recruited away all the time. As organization leaders, one of the greatest skills we can offer our employer and our team members in 2023 is to support effective recruitment and retention.
Paging Mr. Buffet
Warren Buffet, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, said, “Somebody once said that in looking for people to hire, you look for three qualities: Integrity, Intelligence and Energy. And if you don’t have the first, the other two will kill you.”
Mr. Buffet is an amazing management guru, and his ideas are particularly relevant for 2023. As we progress through the hiring process with candidates, certainly we are seeking candidates that possess the necessary job skills. This is an absolute. But are we also assessing candidates for integrity, intelligence, and energy? How would this even be accomplished?
The hiring process should include thorough reference checks, some interviewing, some assessment of the candidates’ work-related skills and some observation of the candidates’ skill set in action. To truly measure a candidates’ integrity, intelligence, and energy, apply a rubric to each of these necessary hiring steps such that reference responses in relation to integrity can be scored, such that interview comments and skills assessment can be scored towards necessary job intelligence and such that observation of performance can be scored towards energy. Seeking qualified candidates with integrity, intelligence and energy can support effective recruitment in difficult recruitment markets.
What Employees Want
Once a talented employee has been recruited, we know that other organizations are likely aware of the employees’ strengths and abilities and if possible, other organizations will recruit them away. As a manager or organizational leader, what are you doing daily to support the retention of your talent? First and foremost be aware of what your current employees are seeking in terms of benefits. According to the Employee Wellbeing and Voluntary Benefits Survey by Buck (2022), 79% of US workers want more than just a salary increase, they want job perks like:
- Medical coverage.
- Paid time off/vacation.
- Performance bonus.
- Paid sick days.
Review your organizations’ benefits packages. How does your organizations’ benefits package compare with your competitors? Talk to your employees about their needs and how you as their manager can support their work and life balance. Retention is not something that happens by chance rather retention is something that occurs because managers are choosing to be engaged with their team every day.
I agree with the Arte Nathan, President & COO at Strategic Development Worldwide, when he says “No one can teach their employees how to smile. They should be smiling even before you hired them.” This quote is particularly important for managers planning for success in 2023. Hire people who are smiling and then, as their organizational leader, be sure they continue to smile as long as they are on your team.
References
Buck. (2022). Report: Employee Wellbing and Voluntary Benefits Survey. Buck Global, LLC.
Retrieved: https://buck.com/report-2022-wellbeing-and-voluntary-benefits-survey/
Moster Global Report. (2022). The Future of Work. Retrieved:
