Are Profitability and People Effectiveness Equal?
Are profitability and people effectiveness equal? Yes.
We’ve been trained to believe and advocate for profitability and bottom line results. I’m not saying that’s not important. Because it absolutely is.
What I’m suggesting is that you and your business start thinking about your profitability and your people on the same line – with the same importance.
Because your people are your unique selling point. They are your value. They are your secret sauce.
Think about it: When your most customer-focused employee has a bad day, what’s at stake? How does it resonate – that day, that week, that month, that quarter?
Engaged employees are what’s profitable for your business.
What does it mean to be “engaged” at work? It means you know your purpose, you understand your role, you enjoy what you do, and you know that no matter what you’re doing, you’re helping the business.
Engaging Your Employees
Now, if you’re a Manager or leader, how do you engage an employee?
First, understand him or her. A bigger first question - do you know who your employees are? Now, what are their personalities like? What does happy look like? What does stressed look like? How do they act when they’re comfortable – good or bad?
Second, acknowledge that not everyone is motivated by the same things. Some are motivated by money; some are motivated by recognition; some are motivated by more flexibility.
Third – get real on whether you’re actually coaching your people. If so, how are you coaching your people and how frequently? Is this drive-by coaching or sitting down together with no distractions and actually listening to their stresses, struggles, successes and wins? Coaching means taking the time to sit down, set goals together, create a relationship built on trust and communication, so accountability is inspiring versus daunting.
Trust has the strong power to engage. When you create a trusting environment, you’ll drive profitable results and people effectiveness. That’s the new bottom line.
Meredith Wailes is the president of Bloom Leadership.
Her goal is to eliminate suffering in the workforce by creating exceptional value and growth for business and entrepreneurs.
For more information on how we achieve this please check out Bloom Leadership.
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