E-couragement: Symptoms or Cause?
“Don’t worry about changing THE world; let’s concentrate on changing YOUR world.” Rich Schlentz
As a former vice president of operations, Tom experienced the challenge firsthand. Leaning in, I said, “Tom, the conversation in most companies is off target.” Equally passionate about the topic and our Starbucks coffee, Tom replied, “We have to change the conversation. It’s no longer about customer service scores, retaining top performers, keeping people safe, productivity, or profitability. Those are the symptoms. It’s time to shift attention to the cause of these real world business challenges companies are facing.”
The data are clear and compelling. The issue Tom and I were discussing was disengagement—the root cause of most business challenges. It’s also where all of your opportunities lie. What if there wasn’t the plethora of research to back this up? Could we intuitively know that something is wrong? What if we simply pay attention to what people are saying? Here are phrases you’ve likely heard from friends or coworkers, perhaps you’ve murmured them yourself:
- They treat me like a number here.
- It’s almost Friday, can’t wait for the weekend.
- Oh crap, Monday’s coming.
- Nobody listens to me—my ideas don’t count.
- I can’t remember the last time my manager had something good to say.
- We’re in self preservation mode here, everyone looks out for themselves.
These are the phrases of disengagement within organizations. Ultimately, this type of culture generates subpar results. Let’s change this. It’s time for a new conversation focusing on creating and fostering an engaging workplace. It makes people and business sense to do so. What if you began hearing phrases like this around your workplace:
- I love my work; we make a real difference for each other and our customers.
- My supervisor is a great listener. What I say matters and my ideas are often implemented.
- Man, this week has flown by—come Monday we’ll crank it back up again.
- I have meaningful relationships at work with my teammates and supervisors.
- Since I’ve worked here I’ve had the chance to grow and develop new skills.
- I get to utilize my strengths and talents on a daily basis at my job—that makes me feel successful.
These are the phrases of an organizational culture poised to be productive, innovative, service and quality oriented, and profitable. Are you ready to stop focusing on the symptoms and begin acting on the cause? How engaged are your people? Do you really know? What are they saying about it? Live out the words of Mahatma Gandhi, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Here’s to changing your workplace world.
Leave your comments: What will it take to make the shift toward greater engagement in the workplace? What has to change?