This week I’ve discussed the
death of trust and loyalty in the workplace and the
dehumanization of the workforce, but I didn’t offer many solutions.
Of course, I believe the obvious solution to much of the outfall of these practices is
strategic employee recognition. Restoring trust and humanity begins with a simple “thank you” – an acknowledgment that people are noticed, appreciated and recognized for what they do that matters.
But for recognition to be strategic – indeed, for recognition to overcome the death of trust and dehumanization – it must resonate deeply with employees. It must help them see that they are not cogs in the machine, but deeply valued and appreciated contributors that are helping to achieve the company mission. And the best way to do that is to link every recognition to a story that resonates in that way.
Going back to the
Financial Times article I’ve referenced all week:
I’ve
written before on the research in which GenY reports the most important thing to them in an employer is the company mission and values aligning with their own. For all employees, regardless of generation, knowing they are contributing to the company’s success helps reconnect to the organization, re-energizing and re-engaging them in your company’s mission.
As I said in a comment to a
TLNT article on restoring trust with candor:
What are your solutions for restoring trust and rehumanizing the workplace?