Employees Come First in Great Companies
Employees’ are disengaged to the tune of 85% worldwide. In the US it is 70%. Either number is disastrously poor. What does this mean to a company? For example, high employee disengagement equals:
- Poor morale
- More employee turnover
- Absenteeism
- Poor customer service
- Lower productivity
- Fewer sales
- Lack of employee loyalty
No company in its right mind would want this. Yet, every day far too many companies, and managers treat people in ways that generate an unproductive work environment.
3 Primary Reasons Companies Neglect Employees
The first reason for neglect, is the thirst for profit sidetracks their commitment to people. The focus is on the bottom-line, the result. Much of this has been taught in business schools around the world. In addition, managers have not been trained well enough in the process that employee engagement drives customer engagement which sparks greater profitability. The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) has long proven the connection between customer satisfaction and a company’s financial success. Most importantly, the service profit chain has clearly demonstrated the relationship between employee engagement, customer engagement and profits.
The second reason is that way too many managers lack basic leadership competencies. Too many managers are poor leaders. Derailment studies consistently show that a least 82% of managers fail. Managers falter because of poor:
- Results-usually because of people issues or bad judgment.
- People skills (insensitive, arrogant, dictator).
- Delegation.
- Conflict resolution.
- Trust levels.
- Planning and decision-making.
- Adaption of their leadership approach to situations and people.
Finally, many companies do not care, really. They see employees as a cost and a commodity not as their greatest resource. These companies and their cultures lack integrity. Unfortunately, their approach involves only the selfish goals of their executives and shareholders. The best example of that is when a Fortune 500 company, in response to a slower growth rate, lays off thousands to restructure to satisfy Wall Street analysts. Subsequently, it happens time and again.
What can companies do?
In summary, if you study the “Best Places to Work”, companies, you will find these characteristics:
- Clear mission, vision, and values.
- Pay fairly.
- Benefits are above average.
- Lots of communication.
- Provide extraordinary amounts of training and education.
- Teamwork.
- Effective leaders.
- Positive performance management.
- Praise, recognition, and celebration.
- Listening, feedback, inclusion, and improvement.
In conclusion, if a company wants to (the key is if the executives care) it can begin to improve employees’ attitudes almost overnight by changing leadership and business practices. Effective change requires hard work, diligence, and a willingness to be better. However, CS Lewis said, “It may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird: it would be a jolly sight harder for it to learn to fly while remaining an egg. We are like eggs at present. And you cannot go on indefinitely being just an ordinary, decent egg. We must be hatched or go bad.”
Also, do you want more ideas on how to engage and inspire your team? Therefore, check out this complimentary eBook, How to Motivate-NO-Inspire People, 10 keys to Employee Engagement.
In addition, do you want a proven game-plan for career success? If so, check out Doug and Rick’s Superstar Leadership book.
Finally, go here for our RealTime Learning & Training leadership and personal 
development website. Micro-learning and career advancement at your fingertips!
