Why Managers are Critical to Your Talent Engagement Strategy

As the leader of a busy HR team, you have a lot on your plate. Between administrative tasks, payroll, and other responsibilities, it can be a daunting task to manage everything. However, one of the most critical aspects of your job is finding and retaining top talent. And that's where your managers come in. 

In this article, we'll explore the critical role that managers play in talent strategy. We'll look at why they're so important, how they impact employee engagement, and why leveraging them is essential for your organization's success. 

The Importance of Managers in Talent Strategy 

Two of the biggest issues that HR leaders face are finding top talent and retaining the talent they have. And while senior leadership can play a role in addressing these issues, the first line of defense sits at the manager level.  

According to data from Mercer, employees trust their immediate manager more than senior leadership. There's almost a 30% difference in the level of trust employees have for their line managers versus senior managers. This sentiment also extends to the ability to navigate through change and disruption, where employees trust their line managers more than senior managers. 

Furthermore, when it comes to employee engagement, almost 70% of the impact is attributed to the involvement of the manager across their team. Line managers have a massive impact on your ability to keep and attract talent through high employee engagement.  

Unfortunately, many organizations don't tap into and leverage their line managers as a key support structure in advancing their talent strategies forward. This lack of support can lead to a host of problems, including low employee engagement, high turnover rates, and difficulty attracting top talent. 

Leveraging Managers for Employee Engagement  

If you're part of a busy HR team, leveraging your managers to help implement and drive employee engagement initiatives forward is essential. Not only will it help you keep and attract top talent, but it can also free up bandwidth for yourself and allow you to execute at a much better level. 

For every one point of improvement in employee engagement, you can realize almost a $50,000 per employee increase in market capitalization, according to data from Mercer. This increase in business results is significant and highlights the importance of employee engagement in driving organizational success. 

To leverage your managers effectively, you need to provide them with the support and resources they need to succeed. This support can include training, coaching, and mentoring to help them develop the skills they need to engage and retain their teams effectively. 

Implications and Potential Impact of Leveraging Managers  

Leveraging your managers effectively can have a significant impact on your organization's success. By empowering them to drive employee engagement initiatives forward, you can create a culture of high performance and attract and retain top talent. 

However, there are some potential challenges to consider when leveraging your managers. For example, some managers may not have the necessary skills or experience to lead effectively. In these cases, additional training and support may be necessary to ensure they can perform their roles effectively. 

Another potential challenge is resistance to change. Some managers may be resistant to new initiatives or may not see the value in employee engagement. In these cases, it's essential to communicate the benefits of these initiatives and provide them with the necessary resources to succeed. 

Conclusion and Future Outlook 

 In conclusion, leveraging your managers is critical to your talent strategy. They play a significant role in employee engagement, retention, and attraction, and can have a significant impact on your organization's success. By providing them with the support and resources they need to succeed, you can create a culture of high performance and drive business results. 

Looking to the future, it's essential to continue to invest in your managers and provide them with the necessary training and resources to succeed. As the business landscape continues to evolve, the role of managers in talent strategy will only become more critical, and organizations that can effectively leverage them will have a significant advantage.  

So, if you're the leader of a busy HR team, don't underestimate the importance of your managers. They're your first line of defense in finding and retaining top talent, and they can be a significant asset to your organization's success.