March/April 2019

Leading Insight
Are You the Honest, Accessible Leader Employees Need?

As AEC firms begin to ramp up for their spring hiring, especially of new graduates, it’s important to ensure that consistent engagement is a priority as it helps with recruitment and retention.

Accessibility and trustworthiness are some of the qualities that employees look for in their managers and senior leaders, according to a recent Rymax Marketing Services survey. Are your leadership team members hitting the mark?

For the survey participants who cited complaints about their work environments, the common gripes included an unfriendly or unfulfilling atmosphere and a dislike of senior leadership. That unfulfilling atmosphere left more than 25% of participants feeling “deflated” after a work day and only 15% saying that they feel valued and respected. If there were any dislikes noted about immediate supervisors and managers, 52% indicated that they felt this way because he or she provides no direction or clear communication and feedback.

For those thinking about taking their talent to another company, 72% said that they want a position where they will feel respected, valued, and rewarded.

When survey participants feel good about their firms, what do they admire most about their supervisors and managers? Nearly half used the terms “collaborative,” “appreciative,” and “honest.” More than 40% of participants stated that accessibility to upper management makes a positive difference in how they feel engaged within the company.

Recognition for meeting or exceeding project expectations or for being a reliable team player is a boost to employee morale. Nearly 85% of participants indicated that they enjoy receiving verbal affirmations and/or some type of rewards. More than a third of participants stated that receiving verbal or public recognition would motivate them to work harder.

Even when there’s no formal recognition or reward, a simple “thank you” goes a long way—plus it doesn’t cost anything. Nearly 90% of participants said that it’s important to hear “thank you” from their managers, while more than 50% stated that it’s critical to feeling happy about the company.