Expect to Be Disappointed

I have a good friend who once said to me, "I wonder when it became normal, in business, to ignore doing business. Every interaction I go into I start by expecting to be disappointed."

Wow...kind of a negative thought or is she on to something?

When we look at the statistics regarding the engagement of employees and see that, according to a Gallup Poll only 31% of employees are "engaged in their work". That stunning 69% of disengaged workers costs American business about $11 billion a year.

Is it a wonder that business fails to respond to voice mail? Is it a wonder that employees fail to respond to emails?  Not long ago I asked a client of our why his firm had trade-marked the phrase, "We get things done!". He told me because the response from others in his profession is so lousy that time after time clients would tell him, "We're amazed that your firm actually gets things done on time."

Tragic huh?

Let's start to change that. Here are four tips to better engagement:

• Lead Responsively - When the leader is responsive to the appeals, efforts and requests of his/her employees those employees feel as if they matter. Being responsive is always better than ignoring...anything;
• Conduct Stay Interviews - Learn why people have made the decision to stay with the company rather than leave. When employees understand that you want to assist in their career they are more likely to be engaged;
• Model Behavior 24/7 - Being a leader means you are "on" 24/7. Once you get home you can kick the cat but in public you are constantly being evaluated and so too is your business brand;
• Eradicate Unfairness - Nothing demotivates more than when getting ahead is more about who you know that what you know. Employees have a keen sense of unfairness and so should you.

Four quick tips that may help your business escape being...disappointing.

If you've got others...please share!