CUTTINGS - New Directions · 2011-08-26 · Most organisations do have a purpose and for many it...
Transcript of CUTTINGS - New Directions · 2011-08-26 · Most organisations do have a purpose and for many it...
CUTTINGS
CUTTINGS is edited and published by Geof Cox of New Directions Ltd.. The contents are the property of the publisher but may be used if the publisher is identified and if copies of such use are sent to the publisher.
New Directions Ltd is a member of
Number 91 April 2011 Compiled and edited by Geof Cox
The ‘Golden Thread’ of shared purpose rganisations whose employees share a sense of purpose outperform those who don’t,
according to recent research by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development published in the report Shared purpose: the golden thread? Most organisations do have a
purpose and for many it tends to be ‘profit‐based’. However, despite this being a common purpose, making profit for investors and owners does not ‘fire up’ the workforce, in fact those organisations with a profit base purpose tend to be out of sync with employees. Just having a purpose is not enough
to generate performance. Whilst a high proportion of employees surveyed believe their organisations have a clear sense of purpose, far fewer believe it is a shared sense of purpose throughout the organisation. Alignment is the key issue here.
Alignment between an organisation’s purpose, its values and its goals is more important than the specific purpose of the organisation – as indeed is the alignment between an employee’s goals and the values of the organisation and ultimately understanding where they fit. Organisations who achieve this
sense of shared purpose outperform those with none on both soft and hard measures. In addition, the research indicates
strong indications that if employees know and share what their organisation’s purpose is then they are more likely to be engaged and satisfied. This has been one of the questions in the Gallup Q12 survey ‘The mission/purpose of my company make me feel that my job is important’. On the down side, a lack of
understanding around purpose can
lead to de‐motivation and emotional detachment, which in turn lead to a disengaged and dissatisfied workforce. Despite the benefits, few
organisations appear to achieve a sense of shared purpose: 35 per cent of the respondents identified that their organisations’ core purpose was detached from their day‐to‐day jobs. And, while 76 per cent of respondents said they knew clearly what their organisations’ core purposes were, just 28 per cent believed that purpose was shared throughout the whole organisation. For those organisations whose
purpose is fully shared by their staff, the benefits are clear: • improved timeliness and efficiency of service delivery
• increased market share • higher employee engagement: 84% of respondents were engaged, compared to 32% of respondents without a shared sense of purpose
Decision making Having a sense of shared purpose not only affects satisfaction and engagement; the research indicates that it also affects how decisions are made. Employees who feel their organisation has a sense of shared purpose are more likely to see their organisation involving them from the outset in contributing to and shaping big decisions; those with no sense of shared purpose see decisions being made ‘behind closed doors’. A sense of shared purpose tends to
produce a ‘co‐creation’ atmosphere, while lack of purpose results in a ‘tell and sell’ approach. While the research identifies the
importance of communications and leadership in developing a sense of shared purpose, just informing employees is not enough. The
research clearly identifies that employees need to see their senior clearly demonstrating that they live the values and purpose they espouse. This ‘on board’ attitude from senior
management also has the ability to improve job satisfaction – respondents who feel senior management keep the organisation purpose at the heart of their visions and strategies are more likely to be satisfied with their job than those who do not. Conclusions An organisation’s purpose is at the core of its very reason for being. Different organisations have different purposes that resonate differently with their employees. But whilst employees are more motivated by a non‐profit‐related purpose it is more important that purpose, values and goals are aligned. Where there is alignment people
not only understand the purpose and values of the organisation but also see where they fit into it – then levels of engagement and satisfaction are increased and the perception of the organisation as one that outperforms its rivals is tangible. A greater sense of purpose is
achieved if their goals are aligned with the organisation’s values. The research also highlights the
importance of communication and leadership. And whilst mechanisms such as appraisals and one‐to‐one meetings will help, leaders must demonstrate that they too ‘live’ the values. Many employees believe that this does not happen. Shared purpose: the golden thread? CIPD report, December 2010 “Golden thread” of shared purpose highlighted by research, TJ January 2011
O
CUTTINGS is edited and published by Geof Cox of New Directions Ltd.. The contents are the property of the publisher but may be used if the publisher is identified and if copies of such use are sent to the publisher.
A collection of thought provokers and quotations… “The greatest of faults, I should
say, is to be conscious of none.” Thomas Carlyle
“The key to successful leadership today is influence, not authority.” Ken Blanchard
“Managers have their eyes on the bottom line; leaders have their eyes on the horizon” Warren Bennis
“Managers work in the system; leaders work on the system” Steven Covey
“Love is an act of endless forgiveness, a tender look which becomes a habit. “ Peter Ustinov
“Keep your fears to yourself, but share your courage with others.” Robert Louis Stevenson
“When pure sincerity forms within, it is outwardly realized in other people's hearts.” Lao Tzu
“If we don't change, we don't grow. If we don't grow, we are not really living. Growth demands a temporary surrender of security.” Gail Sheehy
“We can teach from our experience, but we cannot teach experience.” Sasha Azevedo
“You can't expect your employees to exceed the expectations of your customers if you don't exceed employees' expectations of management.” Howard Schultz
“The culture of the mind must be subservient to the heart.” Mahatma Gandhi
“A tree is known by its fruit; a man by his deeds. A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love.” St. Basil
“I pay no attention whatever to anybody's praise or blame. I simply follow my own feelings.” Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” Soren Kierkegaard
“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work..” Thomas A. Edison
“The farther behind I leave the past, the closer I am to forging my own character.” Isabelle Eberhardt
Three Strategies from the Best Companies for
Leadership 2010 “Leading companies today are structured more like a neural network than a hierarchical machine,” so says Rick Lash, co‐leader of the Hay Group Leadership study. They operate as a flattened matrix, where information and authority move in all directions and cross‐functional teams are as important as formal vertical structures. Their managers facilitate diverse teams with members from different cultures and time zones who report to multiple bosses. These forward‐looking organisations use three fundamental strategies. 1. Drive collaboration The Best Companies for Leadership expect everyone, at all levels, to exercise leadership and create value. They seek out successful ideas and practices disseminate them throughout their organisations. In this environment, a collaborative approach is essential, and ninety per cent of the Top 20 Best Companies for Leadership reward collaboration with incentives. 2. Gain value from diversity Leading companies have recognised that they can compete more effectively in markets around the globe when their leadership includes people native to them. All the Top 20 consider cultural diversity an enrichment rather than a threat. They develop local leaders rather than expatriates, and help all leaders develop the competencies to manage diverse workforces more effectively. 3. Build a sustainable workforce In response to the values of a new generation of leaders, leading companies are adapting their approach to employees' work‐life balance, and to social and environmental responsibility. Ninety‐five per cent of the Top 20 have a family friendly culture and use their socially responsible practices in recruiting. And there is a massive investment
in development. Over the six years that Hay Group has conducted the Best Companies for Leadership study, leadership development at all companies has steadily increased. At the Best Companies, they stay ahead by investing more and doing more. Hay Group newsletter February 2011 Hay Group Best Companies for Leadership study report 2010
Book sales
Still on sale: my latest book Getting Results Without Authority (RRP £12.00) for £10.00 including p&p, or bundled with a copy of my previous book ReadyAimFire Problem Solving (RRP £16.00) at a special promotion price of £16.00 including p&p. Go to www.newdirections.uk.com
and click on Shopping cart to place your order.
2011 Public courses The next dates in the 2011 public course programme for Getting Results Without Authority are: 11‐12 April 2011 (London) 9‐10 May 2011 (Frankfurt) 7‐8 June 2011 (Brussels)
And don’t forget that the course is also available in Australia through our partnership with Hargraves Institute. www.hargraves.com.au
Cuttings has been published continuously for the past 20 years by New Directions, an international network of consultants and trainers who work together to learn, research, design and provide consulting and training in individual, management, and organisation development. On our website you will find copies of all past issues of Cuttings, a discussion blog, articles and information on all our services, including links to our partners’ sites.
‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ To discuss any ideas please call me:
Geof Cox New Directions Ltd,
26a Downleaze, Bristol BS9 1LZ, UK phone: +44 (0)117 968 1451 mobile: +44 (0)7753 626284 email: [email protected] web: www.newdirections.uk.com www.learningconsortium.eu www.gettingresultswithoutauthority.com
nippets