Ask any successful business owner the secret of their success and they should answer: their employees. Clients and customers are vital, of course, and a bottom line in the black is integral to long-term vitality and viability. But employees really make it all possible.
All of that is important to consider, particularly in today’s climate. And though government and the business world are not the same, the people part is. Treat employees well, and they perform well. Treat them otherwise, and they will not.
That’s not to say it is not incumbent upon employees to produce. But in my 20+ years as a business owner, I have always been a proponent of giving employees the tools and guidance they need to operate at their very best. Guiding, mentoring, examining shortcomings, and coming up with a gameplan for either continued success or a performance turnaround. I’ve also had to let employees go. But only after doing everything possible to allow them to succeed.
What we unfortunately see too much of in the news today are individuals taking a “chainsaw” to workforces with little to no, it appears, review, due diligence or human resource protocol. No doubt some are not performing. Yet, others, we have read, had consistently stellar reviews. I understand downsizing. But why not do it with empathy and respect and allow workers to go out with dignity?
And consider this: One of the fastest ways to destroy a workplace culture and productivity is to treat employees poorly. And, importantly, how do you then attract future employees? Why in heavens name would anyone want to work in such places? The damage will be deep and long-term.
It is all hard to watch but we should not look away. There are lessons to be learned and positive workplace environments to be cultivated. The rest of us can do the right thing, to the benefit or our employees and our organizations.
(rights free image by pickisuperstar for freepik)