The Good. The Bad. And the Happy.
It’s not all doom and gloom
Retail has reopened across the UK and it looks like we may have a drug that can save the lives of those hardest hit by CV19. The weather has even been good the last few days. Things are looking up indeed.
The good news is that that’s not even the good news 😊
The Good
What has been truly remarkable are the new studies out showing how employee engagement rates have soared during the crisis. At a time when we have so little trust and so much fear, the pandemic has brought out – in most cases – the very best in companies who have bent over backwards to take care of their employees.
There have been massive culture shifts in businesses. CEOs are now Chief Empathy Officers; companies are encouraging employees to take sick days and days off; it’s now ok to work at home and spend time with your children; and wellbeing and health have taken centre stage. All of which have resulted in never-before-seen shifts.
A recent study by Willis Towers Watson found:
· 95% say senior leaders have demonstrated a sincere interest in employee wellbeing and safety
· 90% say their culture has improved
· 84% say employee engagement has gone up
· 83% say their employee experience is better
· 76% say collaboration in the overall organisation has improved
All of which goes to show that when you really make your organisation people-centric, it works.
The Age of Reimagination
The other great piece of news is that as we evolve to a new economy of “low touch” products and services, companies in all industries are not only learning how to serve customers in a new way, but are also working out how to protect their people.
Part of ‘back to work’ decisioning is deciding “what jobs do we need now” and “where do we want them to go?” Concepts such as job crafting are going mainstream and even Haier’s much vaunted Rendanheyi model is getting a second look.
It’s a glorious age of reimagination with new business models, digital transformation and innovative new organisational designs.
The Bad
There are no prizes for guessing the bad news… everyone is tired.
The number 1 issue on employees’ minds (according to a new MetLife study) is “I’m just tired.” The cognitive overload of working at home with poor facilities, children and pets has resulted in exhaustion.
Most sectors can now go back to work, but I would caution against banking on massive savings from reduced office spaces. We have to accept that working at home (WAH) is not for everyone.
I think we need to be flexible and not get too excited about WAH just yet. There are plenty reasons not only why people want to get back to the office, but also why it’s important that they do. The much anticipated “future of work” may have landed on our laps but don’t get dazzled by the Silicon Valley “remote first” hype.
Let your people be your guide. Have a conversation and find a way for it to work for everyone.
The Happy
The reason why it’s so important to find this middle ground is because, as every executive worth their salt knows, a happy employee is a productive employee.
It’s a great time to revisit the 2020 World Happiness Report as it provides important insights into the drivers of human behaviour.
By far the biggest driver of happiness is social support: the sense of community, relationships, and friends we have in life. This dimension is 6.3 times more important than wealth and the one that has been most severely impacted by the global lockdowns.
The second most important factor is the freedom to pursue your life. In other words, financial freedom, job and career opportunities, and a legal framework that enables you to move, grow and live the life you choose. This is 3.6 times more important than wealth and also something that has been significantly curtailed.
No wonder we’re all exhausted and depressed.
Remembering just how powerful these two themes are is critical for successful reimagination. So, your goal for the week… figure out how to remove worry and create happiness (or give me a call and let me help you with your thinking).