Why You Should Reinvent Your Organization

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‘It’s time for every organization, whatever its size and scope, to profoundly and deeply examine the reason it exists, and to practice, over and over again, telling that story to every stakeholder in its ecosystem.’

If machines eliminate jobs, and jobs give our lives meaning, what are we going to do to keep ourselves believing that we matter?’

‘If people can’t work, what happens to our drive for community? Or our eagerness to continue?’

‘We bring our need and our talent for connection with other human beings into every aspect of our lives, including work.’

‘We bring our human need to connect with other people right smack dab into our jobs and our workplaces.’

‘It’s people at work who bring empathy, connection, magic, warmth, understanding, joy, creativity, imagination, beauty, and innovation to organizations as they build things, serve customers, and meet their mission.’

‘Toxic workplaces have myriad consequences- on profit, on the planet, and on people.’

‘It’s time for organizations to get back to basics and remember what the people who work for them need, and what the world needs.’

‘The speed of our connection moves us fleetingly from one thing to another, with very little time to think and add value by learning and growing.’

‘Creating workplaces fit for human life, and paying conscious attention to the soft stuff of people-centered leadership and culture, is not simply about making people happy at work.’

To help employees feel alive at work, leaders must look more closely and consider what motivates people, what makes their hearts sing, why they work, and what they dream.’

‘The only thing more expensive than an employee leaving is an employee who is miserable and stays.’

Source:

Moe Carrick (2019). Bravespace Workplace: Making Your Company Fit for Human Life

Why Leading With Gratitude Is More Important Than Ever

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Gratitude is not a strategy. It is a way of life. It is how you see the world around you. It is how you see yourself. It is how you do your work. It is how you treat people. It is how you face challenges. Above all, gratitude is a way of saying, ‘Life is great, no matter what!’

According to Adrian and Chester, ‘A lack of gratitude is a form of stupidity. It leaves on the table an enormously powerful tool not only to inspire people to reach their potential, but to actually better understand the true nature of their contributions.’

Developing genuine gratitude involves carefully observing what employees are doing, walking in their shoes, developing greater empathy, and sincerely trying to understand the challenges they face.’

‘Developing respect is about helping others grow and supporting people who make honest mistakes. It includes sharing the credit and absorbing blame when needed.’

‘When the right behaviors are in place, there is little time spent in fear.’

… gratitude provides clarity about whether the work they are doing is correct, valued by the boss or others, and making a significant contribution to the business.’

‘Expressing authentic gratitude is about much more than what a leader says, or even how she says it- it’s about why she says it.’

‘If employees are afraid of punitive actions, they are more likely to try to cover up problems.’

‘Leaders who develop empathy for others are great enablers of authentic gratitude.’

‘Creativity requires trust. Cultures of low trust, where managers react badly to failure, create too negative an environment for productivity and innovation to flow.’

‘Avoid the over-ask- especting too much from employees by asking for ideas that are out of their purview or asking too many questions at once.’

Source:

Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton (2020). Leading with Gratitude: Eight Leadership Practices for Extraordinary Business Results