We often hear two schools of thought in business centered around our people – if we grow this organization it will show how much we care about our people. Or, if we care about our people the result will be growth for the organization. We believe either version demonstrates that we care about our people, that they are the priority. Afterall, a growing organization often results in higher pay, job security, more benefits and a stronger overall sense of well-being for your people. However, our communication often reveals something different.
In the ever-changing business environment of today, the only thing that is constant is change. A large majority of the working population are people that are resistant to change or find change difficult. They are steady, patient and consistent. However, even if change is easier for some more than others, during these times of change and transition, what your people are really looking for is safety, security and the knowledge that they are a priority regardless of who they are.
If one of your company values is your people but most conversations are in terms of meeting your quarterly numbers, what your communication is saying to your people is the bottom line is the priority, not them.
If you keep “toxic geniuses” on staff – high performers that are toxic and not held accountable – you are communicating that high performance is more important than the well-being of the team.
If you are throwing people into a position without adequate training and onboarding, you are telling your people that putting a butt in the seat is more important than ensuring their success in the organization.
It takes courage to lead by doing what is right in the face of pressure and expedited results. But what you are communicating to your people through these acts and words, is that they are the priority. That you see them as human beings and empathize with their worries and concerns.
Respect, loyalty and love come when your people feel they are the priority. They will follow you to the pit of hell itself if they know that they are safe, you have their back, you stand by what you say, and communicate that they are, in fact, the priority.
Want to create a winning culture? Effectively communicate to your people that they are the priority.
As a leader, ask yourself this:
- What am I communicating?
- What priorities does my communication and actions reflect to my people?