KNOW THE TALENT, KEEP THE TALENT
At AdvancedMD, “people-first” has become intrinsic due to the nature of our business. We supply the healthcare industry with technology to help providers deliver better, more efficient care and help patients easily access information and take a proactive role in their own care and wellness. We’re always thinking about people, and that doesn’t stop at clients or end-users; the mindset embraces our most valuable resources: our employees.
When I say our employees, I’m not referring to a pool of people who carry out the daily functions of the business. I mean we embrace each employee for his or her specific talents and ability to turn them into high-performing results. Marcus Buckingham, author of First, Break All the Rules: What the World’s Greatest Managers Do Differently, says managers should encourage people to take responsibility for who they really are:
“It is the only way to show respect for each person. Focusing on strengths is the storyline that explains all their efforts as managers.”
Instead of assigning tasks and responsibilities randomly, take great care to understand what each employee is good at and allow them to contribute so they can express that strength optimally. Value uniqueness and watch employees shine.
Plus, happy employees stick around. We have a booming job market here in Utah, one of the best performing in the entire country. In fact, there’s only a 2.8 percent unemployment rate. The state’s businesses must attract and retain talent in this climate. But here’s the catch: it isn’t “businesses” or “companies” that do that. In Break All the Rules, Buckingham points out: “People leave managers, not companies.” Managers need to show employees they care about them as individuals. Here are some areas to prioritize.
