Fundamental Disconnect: Where's the value in that?

If we've heard it once, we've heard it a million times...a happy team is a productive one.  Leaders are constantly seeking ways to maximize the talents and skills of their employees to stay ahead of the competition.

If you want to accomplish this but can't seem to retain talent...I might know one of your problems.

Fundamental Disconnect: Defining The Problem

Let's start by defining a few words:

Value

1:   the monetary worth of something

2:   a fair return or equivalent in goods, services, or money for something exchanged

*Values

Values are deeply-held beliefs and principles that individuals or groups consider important and desirable. Implies rating something or someone highly for their intrinsic worth.

Ethics

1: moral principles that govern a person's behavior or the conducting of an activity

2: the branch of knowledge that deals with moral principles

Ethics, when it comes to the workplace, generally means knowing the difference between knowing right and wrong and of course choosing to do the right thing (the company, stake holders, employees etc.)

Most companies with employees have a code of conduct that governs not only their ethics but will also tie to their company's values.

If you are in management and reading this, I know you are thinking, 'duh, Jillian, of course everyone already knows this!' Well, you'd be surprised...

Let's say you have shared your code of ethics and values with your entire team - and shared the WHY (transparency is important) then fabulous! Kudos, truly because you are ready for step two...

PROVE Your Values Align With Your Culture

Are you walking your talk?

• You are hiring the right people
• Paying them commensurate with the market/their personal skills and add-ons
• Enabling good work/life balance
• Future opportunities/growth potential
• Offering professional development/training
• Environment is not hostile/leaders identify issues in the workplace

If all of this is true, why are people so damn unhappy?!

I'll direct you back to 'value' and 'values' for a moment and just ask you to consider the difference.

Yes,  we want to be paid for our work. The value of our labor.

However, there is a massive disconnect in thinking humans are drones or worker bees just showing up for the pay check.  I don't care what the 'job' is be it barista, banker, or business systems analyst- no one wants to feel like THEY have been automated. Like their personal value no longer matters.

Your 'Corporate Value Statement' means little to nothing to your team when they don't feel it reflected in how they are treated.

So What's Next?

Not every employee is the same nor do they all want the same things. What you can do as a leader though is pause, and simply ask them.

If you feel your team disconnecting or if you have had good talent leave, now is the time to reflect and stand in the gap as the leader.

Ready to dive deeper?  Book a free minute consult with us. We're always happy to help you review what's going on and help guide you in the right direction!