Everyone loves a good superhero story. Whether they’re transformed by a radioactive spider bite or a super soldier serum, or they awaken a mutant power they never knew they had, it’s exciting to watch seemingly ordinary people do extraordinary things. But it’s just fiction, right?
Well, yes and no. Though superhuman strength, the ability to fly, and other fantastic feats are the stuff of comic books, the idea of hidden talents being brought to the surface is grounded in reality. As a manager, you have the power to help your employees rise to new levels of productivity and purpose. Take these three steps to help your team find their hidden talents.
Sharpen Your Mission Statement
Your company’s mission statement can be a bland, vague expression like “our goal is to provide the highest level of service, the broadest selection of products, and the most competitive prices.” (Yes, that’s an actual excerpt from Home Depot’s mission statement.) Or it can be a compelling narrative – descriptive, inspiring, and clear. Not only will a revamped mission statement help your company’s overall success, but it can also serve as an origin story for your employees. They can better envision their place in the organization and what they can do to help make the vision a reality.
Establish a Mentor Program
Luke Skywalker had Obi Wan Kenobi. Much more recently, Spider-Man had Iron Man. Heroic tales often have a mentor figure to guide the protagonists on their journey. In business, a mentor can make the difference between an employee simply showing up every day and becoming the best version of themselves. Mentors can nudge employees toward professional development (more on that in a moment), provide accountability, and instill confidence.
Formalizing a mentor program will not only bring out the best in your employees; it will also create goodwill that will make them want to stay.
Invest in Employee Development
Remember that reference to Captain America’s Super Soldier serum? Think of your training and development program as your secret formula to help employees uncover new talents and skills. A 2019 report that appeared in The International Journal of Business and Management Research found that 90% of employees either agreed or strongly agreed that training and development programs improved their performance on the job. And the relationship between growth and productivity isn’t just a matter of opinion. A Gallup study found that organizations that foster the development of employee strengths improve employee performance between 8% and 18%.
Arrow Staffing Wants to Be Your Super-Employee HQ
Are you looking for recruits to be a part of your team of superheroes? Arrow specializes in providing not mere personnel but powerful candidates who are the right fit for your organization. Want to know more? Contact us today
