Maybe your dream is more engaged/productive employees (see https://thehappypath.wordpress.com/2013/10/14/13-of-employees-worldwide-are-engaged/ for some fairly dismal statistics). Maybe it is to increase productivity while decreasing costs. Maybe it is a stronger management team, or even to move up or possibly out of the company/organization you are in. Whatever your dream goals are right now they are relevant. They are relevant to you, even if they are not relevant to anyone else. The bridge is in communicating the metrics and importance, as well as the pay off. Whether you need to communicate it to yourself or others to make it happen is another blog post altogether.
13% Of Employees Worldwide Are Engaged
You’ve already done the math in your head that tells you 87% of employees worldwide are not engaged. For the stats you can visit http://www.gallup.com/poll/165269/worldwide-employees-engaged-work.aspx . We can talk until we are blue in the face about why this dynamic exists. But I strongly believe it is rooted in a few basic ‘truths’. One, change is hard. Two, we are often living urgency addicted lives that tell us if we believe, visualize, etc. things will happen. Both of those ‘truths’ are correct. However, there is an additional component that needs to be added into the mix and it is ‘work’. You have to do the work. Sometimes it is hard work, uncomfortable, it might leave you standing alone or standing among people you are unfamiliar with and/or it may upset those who are accustomed to your current so-called ‘life’. What it boils down to is this… Employers will have unproductive, or less than ideal workforces and employees will have jobs they are not engaged in until someone pulls the accountability card for something more than just productivity/dollars. We are settling for less than we could have, as individuals, organizations and corporations because the bar seems respectable regarding outcomes. The reality is if you implement an engagement plan you could be seeing an altogether new, much higher, metric of what success really can look like increasing all your positive assets including productivity, dollars and engagement.
70% Of The Workforce Is NOT Engaged In Their Jobs
“Of the approximately 100 million people in America who hold full-time jobs, 30 million (30%) are engaged and inspired at work, so we can assume they have a great boss. At the other end of the spectrum are roughly 20 million (20%) employees who are actively disengaged. These employees, who have bosses from hell that make them miserable, roam the halls spreading discontent. The other 50 million (50%) American workers are not engaged. They’re just kind of present, but not inspired by their work or their managers.” ~Gallup, The State of the American Workplace 2013 What is going on when we have a stat like 70% of the American workforce is not engaged in their job? It is Sunday and if you have Monday dread going on you already know the answer. So the real question becomes, why do we stay in jobs that we don’t feel engaged in. Again, you already have a list of reasons going through your head most likely. So ultimately it comes down to 1) employers finding ways to re-engage employees, 2) employers helping employees ‘exit’ when not engaged, or my personal favorite 3) finding an employer or job that you enjoy. Is it stressful to look for a new job, or start your own business? Yes. But guess what, it is stressful to stay where you are not happy. Science will back me on this one…we do more damage to your minds, bodies and souls when we stay in a place that makes us dread that thought of it. As the saying goes, you are not a tree…if you do not like where you are, move. Start planning now. What better time to start actively thinking about your future than now? Start with a specific goal that you can measure and attach a timeline to it. You can always change it down the road, but at least you’ll know that you are on a proactive, positive path.
Don’t Bargain
I’ve always loved the following quote: “The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world’s problems.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi The reason is that so often either subconsciously or consciously we stop ourselves from committing all we can whether in work or relationships. Sometimes we may feel that if we bargain our gifts and/or emotional commitments we can somehow manage an excuse if all does not work out. News flash…if you bargain your gifts and talents, providing less than you are capable of…all has already not worked out. Give your best, everyday, always…as it is your life, and your responsibility to live it well.
It Is Not What You Say, But What You Do
The past few days there has been a flood of commentary about our political ‘leaders’ shutting down the government. On the television, on the radio, definitely on Facebook and social media. There is one thing missing from the talk…it is the action. Everyone is upset and/or disgusted, rightfully so as few of us have the luxury to operate at our jobs the way politicians appear to be. But isn’t this an excellent object lesson for all of us? If we just talk about what bothers us, or what is wrong, or what we want, yet never act to change it what happens? Nothing. It is the first day of the last quarter of the year. Why would you wait one second more to change your life for the better?
Perfect, The Enemy Of Done
For the last few years I have heard people constantly use the word “perfect.” It drives me crazy. Perfect is often one’s perception, not reality. The pursuit of ‘perfection’ is one of the main reasons we delay and often forgo moving in positive, productive directions. Here are two reasons which represent why I am not a fan of ‘perfect.’
Draw The Line
I’ve always tried to live being so busy improving myself that I have no time to criticize others. A practice I highly recommend. Even so, while I can do my best to control my thoughts and verbal output, I can’t control others. Along those lines I share the following which I believe to be quintessential advice to anyone no matter what you are doing and/or where you are in life. Enjoy! “Avoid head trash. Don’t be a garbage can for anything that does not feed your intellect, stimulate your imagination, or make you a more compassionate peaceful person. Refuse to open your mind to other people’s trash.” ~ Les Brown
Turning Your Back On Opportunity
Yesterday I was out recruiting at retail sites. Prior to my start I popped into a major department store for something I needed and happened to fall into a conversation with someone who recruits for the store. He started with “the pickings are slim out there.” I thought he was exaggerating. Now I am not naive. I’ve spent a lot of years working with people, businesses and nonprofits on the issues of employees not being engaged and re-engaging them. Still, I was overwhelmed with the state of the retail employees I came across. The majority of stores I walked into felt like I was surrounded by the night of the living dead. I was amazed at how many employees actually turned their back when I or other customers walked in…literally turning their back on opportunity. I’d put money on the corporate financial performance will mirror the individuals performance sooner rather than later. So my question is this. Why wouldn’t you operate in a manner that has you performing and leaving it all on the floor every single day. I’m not talking crazy, overstretched, running yourself into the ground, but rather bringing your best self, your best effort and best for whomever is signing your paychecks? Gut check…if you find you are among the night of the living dead folks, ask yourself why. No matter where you work it is important to remember this: You don’t HAVE to work there, you GET to work there. And if you aren’t bringing it and leaving it all on the floor at day’s end, do yourself and frankly everyone who works with you a favor and start looking for employment where you feel motivated and/or inspired to bring your “A” game. Additional gut check…are you blaming your employer, co-workers…for your lack of performance? If so, check yourself…you and you alone are accountable for your performance. Ask for what you need to be your best and if it isn’t available, no excuses, find an environment where it is. Bonus…For some great stuff (the above graphic came from there), check out https://www.facebook.com/ALeanJourney
Taking Control…Don’t
We have the propensity to want to take control of things. The important thing to remember is there is a difference in between control and contribution. Taking control can often lead to stagnation of a project. Letting go of control allows a project to move further faster as there is more energy and input. If the project fails to move without you controlling it the next question becomes ‘is it your priority, or do you need to lay it down and walk away’. Just a side note…controlling and leadership most certainly are not the same thing. If you are a leader, you most likely are contributing and not controlling.