It’s a common theme that employees who are “Jack of All Trades” often get jack of it.

Yesterday I had a coffee with a long-term candidate of mine, and the narrative was exactly that.

They’re the Executive Assistant / Office Manager / Ops Expert who keeps the engine room running. They’re the glue that holds everything together and will take on anything and everything to support the team.

…and yet, they feel undervalued.

This isn’t an isolated case. Time and time again, I speak with support professionals in hybrid roles who are looking to leave, not because they don’t love what they do, but because they feel overlooked and underappreciated.

These people who do this job well are like gold dust in the market and are invaluable to any team.

They often become the unsung hero who is often taken for granted once they settle into their groove. Yes, the role is a role of ‘service’, however, businesses who don’t see long-term value in these employees are at risk of losing them, as they’ll find someone who will!

So how do businesses keep this top-tier talent? Let me share with you the not-so-secret sauce of my clients who retain this talent well…

👉 They carve a fulfilling career path for the candidate – What are their interests? What other projects can they get involved with? Remember this style of person LOVES to support and help, so how can you ensure they’re filling their cup/growing their career whilst adding value to your business?
👉 They review and reward – Incentive bonuses, milestone recognition and annual salary reviews (and maybe a nice bottle of wine or some choccies now and again!). It all matters.
👉 They give credit where credit is due – A “well done” or “thank you, you did a great job” and even a shout-out on Slack goes a long way. People want to work for people that make them feel appreciated.

If you’re a business owner or manager reading this, take a moment – who is the ‘glue’ in your business, and when was the last time you showed them they’re appreciated?

A little recognition now might just save you from a costly hire later.

Need help finding (or keeping!) top-tier support staff? Give me a buzz.