Inspire, Embrace, Communicate
Most CEOs, Managing Partners, and Business Leaders I've spoken with feel that hybrid work models are here to stay. I think these should include some combination of in-person collaboration, which is essential for the growth of your employees.
This week, I want to explore one of the essential dynamics to remember when evaluating and developing your workplace culture, including how work gets done.
Engagement and Wellbeing
It's not enough to be engaged. In addition to employee engagement, wellbeing must be part of the equation. Wellbeing is much more than physical health; it includes mental, spiritual, and emotional health.
Isolation plays a big part in your employees' wellbeing, and the pandemic taught us that disconnection from one's community can have significant negative repercussions.
Resilience and Anti-Fragility
The ability of your employees to function at the top of their game and experience a thriving career and life hinges on the ability to bounce back from illness and setbacks. This is the definition of resilience.
But beyond resilience is something known as anti-fragility. Anti-fragility is the ability to thrive and excel in turbulent times and uncertainty.
To thrive and excel, you need to be centered and confident. Centered enough to stay true to your authentic self and confident enough to follow your intuition and stay true to your values.
Gallup found in a recent study that employees with a high level of well-being are more likely to be excellent performers, exhibit high levels of adaptability, bounce back more quickly from injury, illness, or hardship, and be less likely to look for a new job within the next 12 months.
It's About Culture
Greater resilience can be found in organizations that exhibit strength in times of disruption by following these practices:
Setting and communicating clear expectations.
Having the right resources to get the job done.
Opportunities for employees to do what they do best.
A strong connection to the purpose (the Why) of the company.
Commitment to doing quality work.
With these practices woven into your culture, your employees have confidence that your business will be agile in the face of significant change and disruption.
Some Helpful Tips
Consider these ideas as you evaluate how you will work in the future, whether in the office, remotely, or in a hybrid model.
Make well-being a high-profile agenda item.
Communicate with your employees frequently. Have regular conversations and ask them how they are doing. Show that you care about their answer.
Let silence do the heavy lifting.
Ask how they are managing their work and life.
Coach your leaders to elevate their EQ.
Welcome open and honest feedback.
Continue to inspire and generate trust through relationships.
Share, with regular frequency, the culture, values, and purpose of your organization.
Final Thoughts
Times are good. The economy seems poised for further growth, following a successful run over the past few years. You and your employees have been through a lot since 2019, and the notions of how work gets done and a healthy work environment have been turned on their heads.
Whether you do a mixture of WFH, in-office, or hybrid work, you are responsible for ensuring that your employees are engaged and thriving. As they thrive, your customers will be happier, and so will your organization.
If you want a thriving company that excels in any environment, it must inspire trust, embrace well-being, communicate frequently, and elevate emotional IQ at all levels.
Until next time!
