The unexplored potential
According to current studies, 85% of all employees worldwide are not engaged in their job, i.e. not connected to it, involved or motivated (ADP Report 2019, Gallup study). 84% at work do not confirm that they are the best version of themselves and that they contribute to the company’s success. This picture has not changed since 2015 (data up to 2019; ADP Report 2019); that means economic losses of several billions each year, increased absenteeism and sickness rates and far too much untapped potential of each individual. It is time for us to change this sustainably.
Where to start?
Let us take the least common denominator that unites us all, our basic biology. Motivation and commitment arises in each of us when our so-called “Seeking-system”, the “Neural System” responsible for our personal drive, is stimulated (Cable, D., 2018, Alive at work). In other words, we are motivated and committed whenever we recognize a deeper meaning (purpose) in our daily doing, have the opportunity for self-realization and have the necessary (creative) freedom to act within the framework of our own values.
Let me ask you at this point, have you ever
dealt with your personal purpose and drive, your “Why?” Have you ever stood still at your values and actively communicated them to your employees? How do these values match into the corporate culture you are working in? What about your team and their values?
Our purpose, drive, or “Why?” describes our overarching goal, our personal mission and vision. It often forms the heading for our values, the reason why we do what we do. Our values serve as an inner compass and are
reflected in our feeling, thinking and acting. They influence and are often decisive for the importance we assign to a task, an interaction or a person. In fact, we all have our personal purpose and our personal values. If they remain unconscious, they control us; if we ourselves aware of them, we can finally draw on our full potential.
In the corporate environment, values serve as the basis of a corporate cultur.
In the corporate environment, values serve as the basis of a corporate culture. Keywords such as operational excellence, team spirit or diversity can be found here as often as more active descriptions such as leading or inspiring. However, what matters is not how or how often these words decorate your company website or premises, but how they are lived and perceived. Whether corporate values are inspiring and authentic signposts or not-lived wishes largely depend on the sustainable establishment of these values within; that is on you. How values in the company, in the team and above all by you as a manager are valued and transported in everyday work shapes and decides about authenticity and credibility as well as about engagement. As a manager, you have the greatest impact on engagement of your employees.
How can you make use of this potential? Start with value-based leadership.
Value-based Leadership
Start with yourself. Identify your personal drives and values by reflecting them – make unconscious, conscious.
Currently there are many variations and methods to find your values – we have a few for you is put together: Online (self-)tests
(e.g. with the Barrett Values Centre Test), (self-) reflection (e.g. with Find your Why, Simon Sinek) and individual coaching. All methods bring you to your goal, but it only becomes really interesting when different perspectives are combined.
As so often in life, the right mix is crucial. Combine the self-perception and retro-perspective on your values with current feedback from your direct and your employees and question them together with a professional coach if necessary.
The combination enables you to effectively deal with the question of how you want to deal with your values or how you want to use them. You can see your values as an anchor of your personality or as a compass that points the way for or against which you can consciously decide. With the latter you follow me in my Mastery approach and give yourself the freedom to become the best version of yourself.
Take the practical test and put yourself out there.
A sparring partner or coach is often helpful to ask the neccessary questions.
If you know what your values are and how they fit into the corporate environment, take your team on the journey. Find out which values are important for each individual and how you want to work together as a team according to these values. Create a common “Why” within your organization and value your employees by creating opportunities and freedom to live them.