After my most recent post on team and organizational leadership, I started thinking about employees' most popular complaints about their employers. There's an eerie similarity to most employees issues with their existing employer. Yesterday I was going to write a blog on those almost universal issues employees have. These are the issues most important to employee retention.
Before I had a chance to compose that blog posting, I received an email from a candidate I've worked with over the past couple of years. His admitted "rant" and obvious passion do a wonderful job of saying many of the things I'm going to write about. This gentleman is a new media Creative Director and Producer, with expertise in online communication and story telling by utilizing a myriad of various media. Any employee can substitute their professional function(s) for some of these specifics and I bet they can wholeheartedly empathize.
The candidate wrote to me:
I want to work for a company that RESPECTS their employees and APPRECIATES their talent and years of experience.
I want a position that will allow me to grow professionally, as well as help grow and build the company, with the possibility of ownership or stock.
I DO NOT want to write code any more! I am more than happy to work with developers at laying out how something should function, but I do not want to be the guy to code it.
I DO NOT want to work for a company or clients that EXPECT you to find freelancers and talent that will work for FREE! I respect the time and talents of people I work with and I want the company I work for to do the same.
I want a position that pays at least $75k per year plus benefits. I would consider taking less for the right position, but there would have to be a potential up side down the road.
I do not care if the position is in St. Louis or out of state. I am open to the possibility of relocating for the right position and the right salary and benefits.
I know that was a rant, but that is what I am looking for. It may not be out there, but at this stage of the game, that is what I need.
I am attaching my promo kit as a refresher. I look forward to your feedback be it positive or a smack in the head.
Thanks my friend."
I smiled when I read this, in appreciation of his honesty, energy and frustration. It seems so simple to give an experienced, competent professional the support they need to do their job . . . then let them do it! It's remarkable how infrequently that happens.
So tell me, how many of you can empathize with his frustration? Care to share some frustrations of your own?