Beverly Kaye is co-author of Hello Stay Interviews, Goodbye Talent Loss, which outlines how regular reviews with your employees ensure that star performers and solid contributors alike are happy and engaged. As part of a semiannual “stay” interview, Kaye recommends you ask an employee these three questions.
Beverly Kaye
What about your job makes you jump out of bed in the morning?
You’ll learn more about your employees by asking this question. It typically elicits some fascinating responses, such as, “the project I’m working on,” “handling a tough problem” or “my colleagues.”
What makes you hit the snooze button?
It’s a safe way to ask someone what she doesn’t like about her job. If she says, ‘I’m just not an early-morning person,’ you could allow her to catch up on emails from home and then hit the freeway after rush hour.
What do you want to learn this year?
This question elicits responses that help you gauge employees’ desire to learn and can reveal ideas for enriching their jobs. They might say, ‘Nothing.’ You don’t want more than one of these folks on your team.”
This article is from the How To package from the August 2015 issue of Canadian Business. Subscribe now!
MORE WAYS TO GAUGE STAFF ENGAGEMENT:
- The Best Way to Make HR Decisions »
- Why Exit Interviews Almost Never Provide Constructive Feedback »
- Do You Know How Your Employees Feel Right Now? »
- How to Get (Really, Brutally) Honest Feedback »
- What Your Employees Aren’t Telling You »
