Many organizations continue to see high rates of turnover among staff and employees. Sometimes, your numbers can look great, but staff engagement doesn’t always grow with success on paper.
One issue that lurks among leadership is centering the focus on staff as a whole — if we could just make them all happy, maybe turnover would slow. Unless your staff understands how their specific work is valued and connected to your organization and its mission or purpose, they won’t see how they can grow alongside the organization. Posting your mission statement on a branded wall is one thing but living it out in full understanding is another.
So, what’s the answer? Alignment, opportunities to engage, and clear communication. To fully learn and participate in a mission or purpose, it’s essential to provide opportunities for people to understand their roles and their importance to your organization. This can be done through growth and development opportunities for staff, especially those in leadership roles.
In addition to courses and training, staff can be developed through access to tuition assistance toward professional credentials or additional schooling. Accessibility also matters — perhaps your tuition assistance is in the form of reimbursement, which is not always an option for staff in difficult financial situations. Thinking through these things is important as you care for your staff.
One of the biggest ways I have utilized my own staff has been to include them in big decisions by actively listening, asking questions, and inviting them to be part of brainstorming sessions. No one knows the need and sees the daily ins and outs of the organization like your staff. When employees are encouraged to develop new skills and contribute their perspectives, they are more likely to fully understand and remain committed to the organization.
Another way to include staff in the growth of your organization is to simply be prepared. Ensure the creation of things such as succession plans and standard operating procedures. These help current and future staff members in the onboarding process, training and cross-coverage, allowing the organization to function smoothly even when staffing changes occur.
The final piece is to communicate the importance of each person’s contribution to the mission. No matter the department, each staff member has value in the organization and its operations. I have made it a habit to recognize the work of employees in staff meetings or other gatherings, but also during the week in email updates or announcements. An organization can have all kinds of great opportunities for growth and support, but unless we communicate to the staff how that impacts our work, it loses its meaning. At The City Mission, the work we do can be life-changing for an individual, and our staff are key in supporting that process.
Together, these strategies support the growth and sustainability of the organization by allowing staff at all levels to participate in organizational development while continuing to grow professionally. This shared investment strengthens engagement, builds trust and fosters alignment with organizational goals. The result is a strong, stable organization supported by staff who understand, support and embody the mission and purpose of the organization. ●
Linda Uveges is CEO of The City Mission
