If you run an organization of any size the "troops" look to you for everything and I do mean everything. They look to you for their motivation. They look to you for reassurance that their jobs are safe. They look to you for their own self-worth (don't we all measure much of our own self-worth against the jobs we do?). They look to you for that recognition that they so desperately seek. They look to you for well, should I go on or does the word "everything" sort of cover it?
Most leaders don't get this. In fact most leaders, rarely give it a second thought and then wonder why employee loyalty is at an all-time low. They wonder why productivity is down. They wonder why the level of customer complaints are continuing to rise.
Engaged leaders understand that the path to true success, their company's and otherwise, is through their "troops." Engaged employees take pride and ownership in the companies they work for. Engaged employees who have leaders that really care for them are willing to go the extra mile for those leaders that they follow. Engaged employees who feel like they have a home, rather than just a place to work, are more productive, more satisfied and take better care of the company's customers.
Earlier this month I attended a seminar where former
Secretary of State Colin Powell was one of the featured speakers. Secretary Powell spoke about leadership and that in turbulent times like these we are facing now, we are obligated as leaders to take care of our number one asset: our people. He spoke about a lesson a military mentor had shared with him when he was just an up and comer. Powell said that this man taught him that a good leader will have people who will follow him or her "if only out of curiosity." They will follow a leader they know, like and respect into circumstances that may have potentially fatal consequences just because; just because they are curious to see where the leader might take them and what might happen.
Secretary Powell went on to say the only way a real leader gets that kind of loyalty is by demonstrating through actions, words and deeds that his or her people are important to him. I am paraphrasing of course but his story was none-the-lesson highly supportive of what I preach day in and day out to my audiences, clients and through this BLOG. If you are a leader it is your responsibility to engage your employees and only through such engagement will the "troops" develop a trust and loyalty that will help navigate the nastiest of waters or survive the toughest of battles.
Colin Powell says now is the best time to be investing in your number one asset: your employees. So will you? Will your troops follow you if out of nothing more than curiosity in the upcoming year?
If you are a leader and you want help developing your employee engagement plan for 2009 I would love to help. Please drop me a line or give me a ring and let's chat.
Ripple On!!!
