Every business enterprise needs a team that can help it sell more and achieve long-term goals. And every team must have Star Performers that not only deliver the work on time and maintain the desired level of productivity but also come up with new ideas to facilitate company’s growth. The fewer people that spring to your mind while you are reading this are your star performers. And you will not want to lose them should you want your company to grow by leaps and bounds.
Here are a few simple things you can do to keep your star performers motivated so that they don’t walk away to serve your competitors.
Give them a new challenge every day
Star performers are what they are because they hate to do the mundane work. They derive fulfilment from every challenge they overcome and keep looking for more. Interestingly, they are key-learners as well. So, even if they don’t have any prior experience or know-how of the new task at hand, they will be eager to learn, work and conquer with flying colours – which is what they are designed to do.
Give them the benefits they value
No, it’s not about fat paychecks or promotions. Try to figure out what else you can offer that your star performer will value. Is it flexible work-hours, ‘no-dress-code’ policy or convenience to work from home? There has to be something that should put them at ease and motivate to work. Rather assuming what your best employees might like, ask. At the end of the day, if the work is getting done and done well, there’s no point sticking to the corporate norms. If they can deliver their best work in their comfort zone, you must create one for them.
Give them feedback
Star performers want to hear they aren’t perfect, and they need to receive feedback regularly so that they can learn and improve. Tell them where they lag, but also give appreciation where it is due. Keep in mind that at the end of the day, they are humans. They are as likely to commit a mistake as any other employee. And when they do, all they need is some time and a little reassurance from your end to stay motivated.
Provide Growth Opportunities
Your best employees will always be on the lookout for growth opportunities. Once they feel the opportunities have been exhausted, they will start looking outside your organisation, because they don’t like to be stagnant. Providing growth opportunities to your employees means targeting areas where your organisation or business operations need improvement. This way your employees and organisation will grow hand in hand.
Be the best version of yourself
In order to retain your best employees, you have to be the best version of yourself, because nobody likes to follow someone just because he/she holds a higher position. If you can’t inspire them, you can’t make them work with you. As an employer or manager, you will want to be fair in your decisions and be able to set goals and provide clear guidance to achieve them.
Invest in them
Last but not the least, it is important to understand that star performers aren’t acquired; they are created within the organization, through the right guidance and motivation they get from their immediate superiors. While you invest time and resources to train them, to make them star performers, it makes sense to invest a little more in retaining them.
Being an entrepreneur is full of challenges. Right now you are building strategies to manage the overwhelming workload and the next moment you may be looking for a business storage facility because you have to vacate your office right away. You cannot escape the inevitable, but having a highly talented team by your side makes the journey a lot easier and helps you fight all odds and come out as a winner.
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