The Power Of Ownership

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Employee ownership changes how companies operate. It changes how people feel about their work, and it enables them to build significant wealth over time.’

When you look at who should own companies, measured by who takes the biggest risks and who adds the most value, the arrows all point in one direction: the employees.’

‘… it is ownership that sets the terms and incentives under which companies must operate. Unless reformers address the issue of ownership, their impact will always be limited.’

Companies owned by private equity too often wind up saddled with debt and forced into layoffs. Their owners typically care little about their long-term health or the communities in which they operate.’

Ownership is more complex, and more open to change, than it first appears. Ownership by shareholders is just a convention, not a law of nature.’

When a company is sold– and nearly every company that doesn’t shut shop will be sold- there’s an opportunity to transform its ownership.

How to spread employee ownership? The good news is that we don’t need major changes in tax or other laws. Relatively minor tweak to existing rules, funding state and local outreach programs, and proving financial support for transactions could all make a big difference at a small cost.’

‘By focusing on broadening ownership, would-be reformers will undoubtedly create more models that work for more situations.’

A company owned by a trust exists for the benefit of employees. It rewards them with both profits and job security.’

Selling to the employees ensures that the company will continue as an independent business– no risk that it will be be immediately swallowed up by some giant corporation, with people on the payroll given the ax.’

Source:

Corey Rosen and John Case (2022). Ownership: Reinventing Companies, Capitalism, and Who Owns What

Why People Do Great Work

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Why do we work? Why do people do great work?

Work is not about money. Work is about growth. Work is about how we express ourselves. Work is how we show our inner selves.

If you want to know a good person, look at how they work.

According to Hubert Joly, ‘Through work, we are part of a web of human interactions, dealing with colleagues, customers, suppliers, and so on.’

We all work– and lead- best when we embrace vulnerability, learn from failure, and strive to be our best rather than the best.’

Companies are not souless entities. They are human organizations made of individuals who work together toward a common purpose. When that common purpose aligns with their own individual searches for meaning, it can unleash a kind of human magic that results in outstanding performance.’

‘Business does well by doing well.

Employees stand at its center because the secret of business is to have great people do great work for customers in a way that delivers great results.’

Doing great work starts when people feel treated like individuals- not human capital- in a work environment where they can thrive.’

‘Doing great work for customers happens when employees relate to these customers as human beings, not walking wallets.’

Treat everyone as a customer, as a human being with real needs.’

When a business is in trouble, listening to the individuals on the front line is the best place to quickly identify what ‘crazy’ goofy, or stupid’ things … have been getting in the way.’

Source:

Hubert Joly (2021). The Heart of Business: Leadership Principles for the Next Era of Capitalism