In the realm of leadership, traditional approaches have often emphasised assertiveness, outspokenness, and bold decision-making. However, recent shifts in organisational dynamics have given rise to alternative concepts that challenge the status quo such as quiet quitting and quiet hiring. How can business leaders deal with these recent shifts? In this article, we will explore these two phenomena and provide tips on how you as a leader can effectively handle them.
What is Quiet Quitting?
Quiet quitting refers to employees who only do the bare minimum required in their jobs and put in minimal effort. They lack enthusiasm and dedication, showing little interest in going above and beyond their basic job responsibilities.
In 2022, the term “quiet quitting” gained popularity on TikTok and became a buzzword, coinciding with the phenomenon known as the great resignation, where many employees decided to leave their jobs. While the term may be new, the practice itself has been around for years. People have been quietly quitting their jobs as they seek something better, whether it’s due to low pay, overwhelming workloads, burnout, or a lack of growth opportunities.
What can be done to address this issue?
Here are a few strategies leaders can try to tackle this issue:
• Promote work-life balance: Encourage employees to maintain a healthy balance between work and personal life. Implement policies that support flexible working arrangements, promote self-care, and help prevent burnout.
• Provide growth and development opportunities: Offer training programmes, mentorship, and avenues for professional growth. Empower employees to enhance their skills, expand their knowledge, and take on new challenges within the organisation. Supply Gem reports that 78% of businesses say employee training programmes improve employee performance.
• Lead by example: Demonstrate the behaviours and attitudes you expect from your employees. Show genuine passion, commitment, and engagement in your own work, serving as a role model for others. Despite managers using buzzwords, reports from Supply Gem indicate a gap between their words and actions
• Provide clear expectations and goals: Ensure that employees have a clear understanding of their roles, responsibilities, and performance expectations. Set realistic and achievable goals and provide the necessary resources and support for employees to succeed.
• Prioritise fair compensation: This ensures that employees are fairly compensated for their work and its a key factor in retaining talent and promoting job satisfaction. Conduct regular market research to stay updated on industry standards and adjust salaries accordingly.
Remember, nurturing a positive work culture that promotes these strategies can promote a motivated and dedicated workforce.
What is Quiet Hiring?
Quiet hiring is when an organisation leverages current employees’ capabilities to acquire new skills without recruiting new full-time staff. It was ranked among the ‘top nine work trends for 2023’ by technological research and consulting firm Gartner.
How to deal with quiet hiring?
Quiet hiring doesn’t only benefit employers but employees too. Let’s first take a look at a few things that employees can gain from this:
• Employee growth and development: It provides employees with the opportunity to work on more projects, develop their current skills, and acquire new ones. This enables them to extend their careers, become more valuable to their current organisation, and enhance their marketability to other employers.
• Job security and stability: Employees can demonstrate their adaptability and versatility, which can increase their job security. They become valuable assets to the organisation, making them less vulnerable to downsizing or restructuring.
• Expanded professional networks: This can expose employees to new colleagues, teams, and departments within the organisation. This helps expand their professional networks and fosters collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and potential future career opportunities.
By embracing quiet hiring, organisations can create a win-win situation where employees experience personal and professional growth, while the organisation gains a skilled and dedicated workforce.
How to handle this trend effectively?
It is crucial for businesses and leaders to handle the trend of quiet hiring effectively to prevent employee burnout and ensure a healthy work environment. Here are some strategies to consider:
• Assess workload and resources: Before implementing this practice, assess the existing workload and available resources. Ensure that the workload can be reasonably managed by current employees without leading to excessive stress or burnout. If necessary, redistribute tasks or consider additional support to maintain a manageable workload.
• Transparent communication: Clearly communicate the goals and expectations and reach to a mutual agreement with employees and ensure both parties are on the same page. Consider documenting the agreement in writing and sign it, fostering transparency and clarity.
• Monitor workload and stress levels: Keep a close eye on employee workload and stress levels throughout this process. Proactively identify signs of burnout and take necessary actions to alleviate excessive pressure.
• Evaluate and adjust as needed: Solicit feedback from employees and make adjustments as necessary to ensure a sustainable and supportive work environment.
It is imperative to strike a balance between leveraging existing talent and maintaining a healthy work environment to ensure the long-term success and satisfaction of both employees and the organisation as a whole.
Programmes to Consider
Regenesys Corporate Education stands at the forefront of assisting businesses in navigating the dynamic landscape of talent management and leadership development. With our comprehensive courses, such as the National Diploma in Human Resources Management and Practice and the National Certificate in Generic Management, we empower leaders to effectively address these issues and foster a productive and engaged workforce. Our programmes equip professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to operationalise human resources processes, drive strategic initiatives, and cultivate strong managerial capabilities.
Visit our website to view more of our corporate programmes.
REFERENCES
1. Bizcommunity (2023) Quiet hiring: What it means for employers and employees.
2. Personio (2023) Quiet Quitting: A Proper Guide to a Very Real Trend
3. Euronews (2023) What is ‘quiet hiring’ and why is it trending in the workplace?
4. Gartner (2022) 9 Future of Work Trends for 2023
5. Regenesys Corporate Education (2023) NATIONAL CERTIFICATE:GENERIC MANAGEMENT
6. Regenesys Corporate Education (2023) NATIONAL DIPLOMA: HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AND PRACTICE
7. Supply Gem (2023) 79 Employee Training & Development Statistics
