How does a CEO or business leader create an engaged and productive workforce in times of unparalleled change? Worldwide, we are experiencing a cultural transformation not seen since the Industrial Revolution. At that time in history, people only had to deal with changes in the means of production.
Today, we’re experiencing change on every level: technological, generational, financial. Many organizations are forced to embrace the “new normal” for survival, yet have no clear road map to navigate these choppy waters.
Ken Blanchard, who transformed American business in the 80s with his classic, The One Minute Manager, suggests in a recent newsletter that senior management start by asking, “What are the behaviors I want to see from a perspective of productivity, performance and values?”
By identifying what you are looking for, you are closer to clarifying your company culture. When you clarify your culture, you will begin to attract those individuals who see your vision and embrace your goals. Those within your company who were content to “go along to get along” may no longer fit. As with any dynamic system, those people will leave through natural attrition.
You won’t necessarily be able to set a timetable for cultural change to become part of your corporate DNA. But you can set measurable goals based on behaviors you’ve identified that meet the requirements of a global economy and a multicultural and multi-generational workforce.
Perhaps it’s time to put the “human” back into Human Resources. View our Employee Communications Portfolio to see what that could look like.
Source: “Survey: Job satisfaction lowest in two decades.” The Business Journal of Milwaukee, (Tuesday, January 5, 2010).
