How to Retain Employees by Emphasizing BAM

How to Retain Employees by Emphasizing BAM When psychologist Abraham Maslow explained his hierarchy of needs, there was no mention of the workplace. However, as humans, every employee is still subjected to the needs described by Maslow. We all need something more from our jobs. I recently sat down with entrepreneur and corporate culture expert Piyush Patel, author of Lead Your Tribe, Love Your Work, to discuss how companies can provide employees with what they need from their jobs. Patel explained there are five layers in the hierarchy. The bottom two are physical needs followed by safety and security. In the workplace, these two layers get fulfilled with a paycheck and job security. You can put food on the table, you have a roof over your head, and youre not afraid of losing the roof over your head any time soon. Only after providing those base layers, Patel explains, can you hope to provide your employees with the top three layers that he calls BAMâ€"belonging, affirmation and meaning. So, what does BAM look like? Belonging As humans, its natural for us to want to be a part of something greater than ourselves. Were hardwired to belong to groups. Since we spend a majority of our time in the workplace, we instinctively want to identify with those around us. A great way to create a sense of belonging in your company is by giving your people the opportunity for shared experiences. Build rituals for your tribe to help them form positive memories together. Perhaps thats through a weekly outing to a local pub or an annual retreat. The more shared experiences your tribe can build together, the stronger your tribes bond will be with each other. Affirmation Everyone likes to receive appreciation. Start by listeningâ€"really listenâ€"to what your employees have to say. Try repeating back what youve heard so they know you were listening and not just waiting for your turn to talk. Another approach is to find ways to offer specific appreciation about why your employees are doing a great job. Instead of the generic, Great job today! try, That was a tough customer, but I appreciate you staying professional. The more specific you can get, the more itll be obvious to your employees that youre taking the time to see the difference theyre making in the company. Meaning The pinnacle of Maslows hierarchy shows your employees theyre not just pushing buttons. Their work has meaning. One great way to provide meaning is to look for opportunities to clarify the bigger picture. Generic statements of how the company is helping customers can be great for external marketing, but internally you should get more detailed. Like affirmation, the more you can clarify each person or teams role in the bigger picture the better. Encourage your employees to share their own stories. Help everyone throughout your company see how they and their colleagues have succeeded in making someones day better. Join Dana Manciagli’s Job Search Master Class ® now and get the most comprehensive job search system available!