Every retail leader has had those employees that have simply seemed to have "lost their mojo". Is it better to move them out before they contaminate your team with their "funk", or should you find out where their mojo went, and give it back to them?
Strictly from a cost perspective, hiring and training a replacement can be expensive. I will always advise in the direction of getting your rockstar back on track. People fall into a funk usually from one of two things. First, they have repeatedly felt under-appreciated for the work they feel they are doing. Or second, the appreciation is always there, but the challenge is not. The common denominator is pride, which in your business translates to ownership and performance.
Lack of Appreciation - Appreciation can come in so many forms. The easiest is a simple "thank-you". If you really want to turbo charge that thank you, use your employees name and actually tell them specifically what you are thanking them for!
"Hey, thanks for all your hard work today!" How many times have you said that thinking you were being the appreciative leader? Now try:
"Hey Susie, thanks for cleaning out the cashwrap today, it looks awesome!"
More often though, when your employee has lost their mojo, that simple thank you is too little too late. These employees need involvement. Involving your employees either through continuous education, or bringing them in on key decisions shows appreciation for who they are and what they bring to the business. Let them see that their input lead to positive results. The turbo charged thank you after that will have a much greater impact on them, and potentially the rest of your team.
Lack of Challenge - Do you ever hear your employees say things like, "I don't get paid enough for this"? That is usually the first sign that they are no longer challenged. It might sound backwards that they would want more responsibility while complaining they don't make enough for the work they are already doing, but when the job itself stops rewarding you, there is nothing left to complain about than the financial rewards. This is where you, as a leader, can really make a huge difference, and give them back their mojo like never before! Work with your employee and dig to find what they are passionate about. Ask what is happening that frustrates them more than anything. Take those frustrations, and use the skills they are passionate about and let them make the difference. If they are frustrated by having a lack of skill or knowledge, don't keep it away from them! Be their mentor and watch them grow way beyond the rockstar they were before!
I once had a mentor that equivocated my employees attitude towards me and their job with a bank account. When you first train an employee you are building up their balance. Every action, or lack thereof, will result in a deposit or a withdrawal. As with any account, withdrawals are necessary, and can come in the form of an undesirable schedule to specific critical feedback. Having employees "with large bank accounts" will not only make them incredibly productive, happy, and receptive, but you will never hear that dreaded phrase "I don't get paid enough for this" again!!
Strictly from a cost perspective, hiring and training a replacement can be expensive. I will always advise in the direction of getting your rockstar back on track. People fall into a funk usually from one of two things. First, they have repeatedly felt under-appreciated for the work they feel they are doing. Or second, the appreciation is always there, but the challenge is not. The common denominator is pride, which in your business translates to ownership and performance.
Lack of Appreciation - Appreciation can come in so many forms. The easiest is a simple "thank-you". If you really want to turbo charge that thank you, use your employees name and actually tell them specifically what you are thanking them for!
"Hey, thanks for all your hard work today!" How many times have you said that thinking you were being the appreciative leader? Now try:
"Hey Susie, thanks for cleaning out the cashwrap today, it looks awesome!"
More often though, when your employee has lost their mojo, that simple thank you is too little too late. These employees need involvement. Involving your employees either through continuous education, or bringing them in on key decisions shows appreciation for who they are and what they bring to the business. Let them see that their input lead to positive results. The turbo charged thank you after that will have a much greater impact on them, and potentially the rest of your team. Lack of Challenge - Do you ever hear your employees say things like, "I don't get paid enough for this"? That is usually the first sign that they are no longer challenged. It might sound backwards that they would want more responsibility while complaining they don't make enough for the work they are already doing, but when the job itself stops rewarding you, there is nothing left to complain about than the financial rewards. This is where you, as a leader, can really make a huge difference, and give them back their mojo like never before! Work with your employee and dig to find what they are passionate about. Ask what is happening that frustrates them more than anything. Take those frustrations, and use the skills they are passionate about and let them make the difference. If they are frustrated by having a lack of skill or knowledge, don't keep it away from them! Be their mentor and watch them grow way beyond the rockstar they were before!
I once had a mentor that equivocated my employees attitude towards me and their job with a bank account. When you first train an employee you are building up their balance. Every action, or lack thereof, will result in a deposit or a withdrawal. As with any account, withdrawals are necessary, and can come in the form of an undesirable schedule to specific critical feedback. Having employees "with large bank accounts" will not only make them incredibly productive, happy, and receptive, but you will never hear that dreaded phrase "I don't get paid enough for this" again!!
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