Heads And Hearts

Have you noticed that your team members struggle with identifying with your company’s’ values and vision? When this is an on-going reality, how does that play out in meeting your company’s objectives and how does it impact work experience for all your employees?

It sounds a lot like a team without guidelines. Where winning at all costs is the primary focus and it doesn’t much matter who gets hit below the belt in the process. When companies choose this path or default to this type of culture, they will get the desired results of high profits in the short run. However, the toll it takes on your team members, will result in you losing the best and the brightest in the long run. Productivity will surely follow, as will profits. Not to mention, the ability of the organization to attract the best available talent going forward.

The success of any organization is entwined in the success of its team-members and working towards creating the kind of work environment where they are committed to engaging themselves, bringing not only their arms and legs, but their heads and hearts as well.

Values 101

To give yourself and your team members the best opportunity to have the right fit, why not include a series of situational questions in your interviewing process of new recruits to allow for the opportunity to have them share their approach to resolving the situational issue? Getting insight at this stage gives you an advantage as to whether this player is the best player for your team.

Think about sharing “why” your business exists and how it impacts the lives of your customers. Share it often. Tell it like a story. Make it purposeful.

Start to tell stories about what your team members are doing and the feedback your customers give because of it. Tie these outcomes to “why” your business exists and encourage more stories like that. These are the kinds of conversations you want in the lunchroom or at the water cooler.

Reward your team members who demonstrate your company’s values. This has a two-fold impact.

1.      It brings your values to life for all to see

2.      It demonstrates that appropriate behaviours get rewarded

Tip: Define your values and demonstrate how you expect them to be lived at all levels of your organization.

Cheers to a work environment where people bring their heads and hearts.

Nadine Burrowes-Seaga is a certified Life & Leadership Coach, Founder & Chief Energy Officer (CEO) of People Development Consultants.