A major problem for employers today is getting
best employees and then keeping them. How do you do this? One way is by understanding what it is employees want. Being able to sense what others feel and want is empathy, an emotional intelligence competency, a crucial “soft” skill if you want to have productive employees and a solid bottom line. Also, as you'll see in this survey which keeps coming up with same results, it takes emotional intelligence on part of managers to meet needs employees want most.
This survey first came out in 1946 in Foreman Facts, from Labor Relations Institute of NY and was produced again by Lawrence Lindahl in Personnel magazine, in 1949. This study has since been replicated with similar results by Ken Kovach (1980); Valerie Wilson, Achievers International (1988); Bob Nelson, Blanchard Training & Development (1991); and Sheryl & Don Grimme, GHR Training Solutions (1997-2001).
Print these surveys out and lay them side by side and you’ll see quite a discrepancy.
WHAT EMPLOYESS SAY THEY WANT starting with most important
1.Full appreciation for work done 2.Feeling “in” on things 3.Sympathetic help on personal problems 4.Job security 5.Good wages 6.Interesting work 7.Promotion/growth opportunities 8.Personal loyalty to workers 9.Good working conditions 10.Tactful discipline
WHAT MANAGERS THINK EMPLOYEES WANT
1.Good wages 2.Job security 3.Promotion/growth opportunities 4.Good working conditions 5.Interesting work 6.Personal loyalty to workers 7.Tactful discipline 8.Full appreciation for work done 9.Sympathetic help with personal problems 10.Feeling “in” on things
We don’t leave our emotions at home when we come to work. In fact we need them, to get along, to treat others with respect, and to guide us in making decisions.
Emotional intelligence means understanding your own emotions and those of others, and being able to use this information to make decisions, and to negotiate to win-win outcomes.
“Soft” skills bring “hard” results in workplace. Studies have shown that emotional intelligence can bring positive effects to your bottom line. It stand to reason that employees who feel good about themselves and – as they say – feel appreciated, will work better for you, stay longer, and pass word on that yours is a good place to work.
