“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
- Maya Angelou
I asked a business owner about a new employee I had observed in a team meeting I attended. Everything about him, including his contribution in the meeting, told me that he carried a pretty significant story. I found out that he had recently moved here from a great distance to work for this company.
I also learned that he wrestled with not seeing his daughter who lived on the other side of that great distance. The employee was excited about her visit here that was just around the corner. The business owner and I continued our meeting at a coffee shop after he finished the one with his team.
His young daughter accompanied us to the coffee shop and sat at an adjacent table while we met. She was distracted with some schoolwork but was clearly able to hear what we were talking about. The business owner and I covered multiple business issues, but he also told me about a recent visit to an amusement park with just him and his daughter. It was a highlight for both of them.
We turned our attention back to the employee I had observed at the meeting. We talked about how the business owner might be able to suggest some things for the father/daughter to do while she is in town and maybe even support his ability to do those things. He decided to purchase two passes to that amusement park, preferred parking, and meal tickets for them to enjoy.
When she came in town for the visit, the new employee texted him with a picture of him and his daughter enjoying their day at the park. The business owner told me how it was one of the best days he could remember as a leader.
It might seem a little unorthodox to invest in a new employee, but studies show that the majority of new hires make long-term employment decisions within the first six weeks. They may hang around longer than that, but the seed is planted that they will leave when the next opportunity presents itself.
Every business I know is wrestling with finding, hiring, and keeping enough employees to get their work done. There are limited hours of operation and extending timelines for work completion in an increasing number of businesses. The reason in almost every case? They are not able to find and keep enough workers to get things done.
Studies show that 3 -12 months salary is the equivalent cost of replacing an employee. Finding, hiring, training, and getting someone up to speed takes time and money; tens of thousands of dollars.
But can you imagine the value of this small, thoughtful gesture to this new hire? $160 is a de minimis amount for the business owner, but possibly a large amount for the employee. But far more than the mere cost, the gesture told the employee that I see you, I am invested in your life, and the things that are important to you are important to me.
And remember, this was a huge blessing for the leader. And even better, his daughter observed the entire thing.
Consider
How well do you know the people that work for you?
What do you know about their interests, cares, and concerns?
What small, thoughtful gesture could you make to their lives?