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  • January–February 2023
  • Article
  • Harvard Business Review

Rethink Your Employee Value Proposition: Offer Your People More Than Just Flexibility

By: Mark Mortensen and Amy C. Edmondson
  • Format:Print
  • | Pages:5
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Abstract

A lot of leaders believe that the formula for attracting and keeping talent is simple: Just ask people what they want and give it to them. The problem is, that approach tends to address only the material aspects of jobs that are top of employees’ minds at the moment, like pay or flexibility. And those offerings are easy for rivals to imitate and have the least enduring impact on retention. Companies instead should focus on what workers need to thrive over the long term, balancing material offerings with opportunities to grow, connection and community, and meaning and purpose.

Keywords

Compensation and Benefits; Retention; Recruitment; Mission and Purpose; Organizational Culture; Satisfaction

Citation

Mortensen, Mark, and Amy C. Edmondson. "Rethink Your Employee Value Proposition: Offer Your People More Than Just Flexibility." Harvard Business Review 101, no. 1 (January–February 2023): 45–49.
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About The Author

Amy C. Edmondson

Technology and Operations Management
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