Sue Bingham (founder and principal of HPWP Group) says that, in her experience, 95% of employees are responsible individuals that take pride in their work. They care about the overall success of the company and genuinely want to do a good job. Unfortunately, the other 5% are the bad apples. And it’s these bad apples who don’t care and make dishonest decisions.
Sadly, many organizations create a culture with those bad apples in mind. Strict rules apply, with no wiggle room for a more flexible and ‘human’ working environment. This means that 95% of your workforce feels demoralized in a school-like environment rather than valued individuals.
A new global research study from IBM’s Smarter Workforce Institute and Globoforce’s Work Human research institute found that “employees who experience a higher level of humanity at work tend to perform better and were less likely to quit their jobs.”
Creating an uncompromising blanket policy results in a culture that breeds compliance vs. commitment. It’s no surprise that a compliant workforce feels uninspired and unmotivated, leading them to do the minimum or looking elsewhere for jobs.
Did you know that, despite the pandemic, more than 50% of employed people looked for a new job last year? One of the main reasons being that they don’t feel their employers care about them.
If this is the case in your organization, this is an opportunity for companies to review their policies, and create new ones or adapt existing policies. Luckily, there are several ways to drive change and create a committed workforce. Below, we cover our top three:
Sure, there will be that 5% that takes advantage. But why should 95% of your hardworking and loyal employees have to pay for their shortcomings? Too many strict policies can take the purpose and passion out of your employee’s jobs. They are simply checking off tasks and going through motions to comply. Instead, put the human needs of the individual first and create a workplace where your team feels valued and understood.
A progressive and forward-thinking HR team or HR manager who truly understands the value of creating this type of human environment is critical in driving this change within your organization. By breaking down past bureaucracies, a determined HR team or HR manager will facilitate the culture that enables a more human workplace and positive employee experience.
By creating and communicating policies that reflect your transition as a company is, of course, vital. Don’t stick to policies where employees still feel they’re being watched or managers are waiting for them to trip up. Remember, most of your employees want to do well in their jobs, feel inspired and productive, and contribute to a company’s overall success. Don’t let previous blanket policies stop them from succeeding in those areas.
In closing, it’s important to recognize that implementing the same authoritarian policy for everyone will drive away good employees in search of better opportunities.
Creating and fostering a culture of trust will be hugely beneficial to any organization. Instead of focusing on following the rules, employees will have room to feel inspired and motivated within their roles. As Sue Bingham says, “You can win people’s hearts and minds and inspire commitment, not just compliance, by promoting originality, compassion, and autonomy when handling employee issues.”
Leadership coaching is crucial if you wish to create a new culture within your organization. At HPWP, our team is here to help guide your leadership team and drive new policies that can transform your business for the better. To start your Leadership Coaching and Development today, contact us here.