From Command and Control to Climate Control
Employee Engagement is the number 1 HR Leadership priority for 2017 (Deloitte HC report). With Brexit and the policies promised by newly elected President Trump – we are entering a period of uncertainty and ambiguity for many businesses. Neuroscience has proven that uncertainty and increased stress can shut down the logical part of our minds and we focus on survival. This brings immense challenges to the world of work and leadership.
That coupled with output from the latest Gallup research that employees in the 20- 36 year age group are the least engaged generation in the workplace so far, with many changing jobs and actively looking for new roles.
The Gallup study highlights how millennials are pushing organsiations to reinvent how they lead and manage. The findings highlight what all 21st century workers seek from work today.
It also tallies with a famous HBR article – Why should anyone be led by you!
The underlying principles for driving engagement among millennials and indeed all workers lies in the climate that a leader has created in the organisation. How does it feel to work around here – am I encouraged and inspired to stretch myself to my full potential?
Research has shown that leadership climate is a known predicter of employee engagement and empowerment directly relating to an organisations financial performance.
Employees are over 4 times more likely to be engaged working in an emotionally intelligent leadership climate.
The climate of any organisation is greatly influenced by the Emotional Intelligence of its leaders.
Key Questions leaders could ask themselves
- What is my mindset? Attitude – Am I creating a mindful/sthriving climate that builds long term success
- How am I feeling? How self-aware am I of my feelings and those around me?
- How do I choose to behave – do I take time out to reflect on situations and prepare for key conversations and meetings – what is my objective , what fingerprint do I want to leave.
Measuring Climate
The Leadership Climate indicator model (JCAglobal) measures 12 key leadership behaviours that demonstrate the prevalence of 4 leadership styles – Inspiring, Including, Controlling and Withdrawing leadership.
It explores how the tone set by the organisations leaders is felt throughout the company and measures the impact this is having on perfomance, well-being and innovation.
Advice for Building a Thriving/Flourishing climate
- Build Self-awareness – Leaders who are aware of their own behaviours and those of their team are closer to the reality of what is really going on in the business.
- Ensure all employees are clear on the Purpose of the organisation – Why do we exist? Why does this organisation matter?
- Provide Regular Feedback – encourage an environment where feedback is seen as development and an opportunity to reduce blindspots and stretch.
- Build Trust – Internally with employees, team members and externally with customers and suppliers
- Create and atmosphere of openness
- Stretch and Empower individuals – don’t micromanage – Encourage responsibility
- Value and appreciate others
Make 2017 a productive and effective year, focus on creating the climate for success.
Fiona Flynn
Director
Foresight Corporate Development
085-1744378
