Leading with Connection: Stay Conversations and Great Catch
Work environments these days are fast-paced, and most organizations prioritize the productivity and efficiency of an employee above everything else. However, employees are also an integral part of any thriving organization, and an organization has to keep the employee satisfied.
Employee satisfaction can depend on several factors, from financial supplements, bonuses, gifts, and work and workload. The relationship between an employee and management often leads to employee satisfaction.
As a leader, it is essential to cultivate an environment and build a connection that encourages employee engagement, retention, and high performance. “Stay Conversations” and “Good Catch” are great ways to build employee relationships and foster a positive working culture for individual and organizational growth.
In this article, let us see what “stay conversations” and “good catches” in a workplace are and why they are essential, along with some examples.
What are Stay Conversations, and Why are They Important?
Stay conversations are informal one-on-ones and periodic check-ins with employees in your team. These conversations focus on communicating with employees about their experience at work, building engagement with them, and understanding their level of satisfaction. These questions often aim to make the employees feel valued, respected, and heard in the organization.
Stay conversations focus on something other than the efficiency or productivity of the task. Instead, these questions help the leaders (managers or executives) gain perspective of their team members’ thoughts, experiences, needs, wants, objectives, and aspirations of the employees. It also provides a safe space for employees to share their thoughts, expectations, and feelings.
These conversations don’t have to be time-consuming, and leaders who dedicate time to engage with employees strengthen their relationships and rapport and earn their loyalty and commitment.
Leadership and interpersonal skills like effective communication, active listening, and empathy can help connect with the employee on a deeper level.
Examples of Stay Conversations
Relating to Individuals
- What are your long-term career goals, and how can we help you achieve them?
- How do you feel about your workload?
- What motivates you to work, and how can we help you incorporate them with your role?
- What challenges are you currently facing in your role?
- What are some of your interests, and how can we help you pursue them?
- What are you learning?
- Are you interested in any training?
Receiving Feedback
- How can I support you in your role?
- What are some roles you would like to explore, and how can we help you with that?
- Do you want to see any changes in our team or organization?
- How can we recognize your efforts and acknowledge your contribution to the organization?
- Have you considered leaving our team?
- What factors influence you to stay?
What is a Great Catch?
Great catch refers to the method of appreciation or positive feedback given to employees by their leaders.
The leader provides a great catch when he identifies a notable action from the employees, like increased productivity, better client satisfaction, taking the initiative and responsibility, or showcasing team building and leadership skills.
The purpose of a good catch is to acknowledge employees and their efforts, reinforce positive traits, and foster good behavior that resonates and aligns with the organization’s values and principles.
Great catches do not have to be through words. It can also happen through rewards, recognitions, awards, and incentives. This helps boost morale, provides confidence, encourages employees, and reinforces their will to strive toward excellence.
Thanks for providing high-quality work.
Great job on that presentation!
I appreciate your dedication to going above and beyond on that project.
I commend you for speaking up and catching that mistake, saving our organization from significant consequences.
I am impressed with how you handled that situation.
Enhance Your Connection and Engagement with Your Employees
By implementing the Stay Conversation and Great Catch practices into your workplace, you cultivate an environment that encourages employee engagement, retention, and high-performance culture. These practices will benefit your organization and your employees. Your employees will get the recognition they deserve for doing a good job and an open, supportive forum to share their ideas and concerns.
Recommended Reading:
“Overwhelmed by Employee Turnover? Have Stay Conversations” by Denise McLain and Iseult Morgan
“The Stay Conversation: A Method For Keeping Your High-Performing Talent” by Christine Dagenais
Meet Jodie, your Culture & Transformation Captain. With over twenty years helping people change, facilitating team discussions, building cultures, designing, implementing and teaching classes, your organization is in good hands.
