Creativity
Every human
being has a need to decorate their own office, find their own way
to do their assigned task, and have their creativity be recognized.
In the sense that all of us are somewhat lazy, often allowing and
encouraging ''creative laziness'' can lead to not
only happier employees, but a healthier bottom line.
Contribution
Managers
have always known that every worker must contribute to the bottom
line, but increasingly staff at every level want to know that their
suggestions, their efforts, energy and loyalty contribute to the company
in many other ways. From the old suggestion box, to recent Quality
Circles, every member needs to know that they contribute and that
their contributions are valued.
Community
The workplace
is increasingly a one-stop source of friendships, exercise clubs,
day care, health care and anxiety. If you and your staff aren't
able to foster a sense of community and teamwork in the midst of a
highly mobile, competitive and insecure world, performance will immediately
suffer.
Personal
Development
As out-sourcing
and mobility increase, the best and the brightest are increasingly
clear that the work they do must strengthen, enrich, and enhance
their lives far beyond a simple paycheck. From team building and
communication skills, to new technical skills, every member of your
business must know that they are growing, becoming stronger and
healthier, or they will quickly grow restless.
Professional
Development
This actually
comes after Personal Development. In the past, industrial bosses needed
welders or drivers or clerks, and employees were expected to come
to the job with these skills. Today, business requires skills that
didn't exist even 3 years ago! Asking the boss to manage with last
year's reporting system, or your sales force to sell with last year's
website or accounting to get by with an early version of Lotus 123,
is asking for bad information, bad decisions, frustration, low morale
and high turnover.
Challenge
For work
to be alive and vibrant, it has to challenge us. From winning a sales
contest, to solving international marketing and financial problems,
we all love a challenge! Make sure you and your staff understand the
"next big thing" and understand that you have confidence in
them and will give them the support they need to meet and conquer
the challenges ahead.
Personal
Recognition
While
most projects involve teamwork and cooperation across networks, in
the end, each individual needs to know that their contribution is
recognized, appreciated and rewarded. Often sole-proprietors and professionals
in independent practice are the worst offenders! Stop and recognize
your own achievements, pat yourself on the back…and share that recognition
with others whenever and wherever it is appropriate!
Financial
Rewards
This is
the old (misused and misunderstood) standby. Business has
always used incentives, bonuses, competitions and rewards to motivate
productive behavior. Unfortunately, in many cases it backfires!
The old rule was: pay as little as possible for labor. The new rule:
pay as much as you possibly can to hire, train, and retain the very
best! Reward yourself and your staff generously and often. It
doesn't cost, it pays!
Clear
Vision
From the
CEO to the newest trainee, we are all bombarded with so much information,
so many messages and so many demands that keeping a clear vision,
staying "on message" is increasingly difficult. What, precisely, is
each staff member's number one priority? Do you know? Do THEY know?
What is the company's primary mission? Confusion about expectations
is the number one killer of productivity. Have a target, and make
sure everyone knows their responsibility to hit it...every time!
Civility
and Mutual Respect
I recently
saw a news show about an office where "practical jokes", bias, discrimination
and "hazin" were rampant. Of course they are being sued!
It's increasingly clear that few businesses can technically meet
all of the various rules, regulations and court decisions about employment.
It's also clear that in most cases, employees don't want to sue or
even complain. Most people want to do a good job in a safe, clean
and supportive environment, and they want to know that they and their
work are respected. The real "bottom line" is common decency
and doing the right thing.