Leaders are often surprised by how much the organization or team means to team members.
For many highly committed colleagues engaged with the mission, work, and clients, the organization represents an inspired foundation from which they can excel and develop.
The importance of the organization and what it truly means to them is monumental, even if they don’t often express it.
On occasion, in group settings, good leaders ask team members to share how they feel about the workplace, culture, and substance of the organization.
These conversations can be tremendously uplifting and serve to further bond people about why they choose to work together.
Because they hear so many complaints and field so many human resources issues, leaders often think the value of the organization is underappreciated or taken for granted.
Until they ask people to share their experiences and views, that is. Leaders are often surprised at how deeply and positively team members feel about the team and organization.
Given the opportunity to share what they believe and feel, team members commonly beam when speaking about what the organization means to them.
This has a powerful impact on others who might hold less than positive attitudes or haven’t been in the organization long enough to fully appreciate what others see.
Conversations like this one don’t take very long. In 10-15 minutes, a diverse group of team members can take their crack at describing their feelings.
There is usually room for just such a conversation at the end of the day during offsites, team gatherings, and strategy sessions. The day ends on a high note, and people walk away with a greater understanding of how their colleagues view the collective team and its culture.
Leaders who ask the question: “What does the team and organization mean to you?” will get the ball rolling.
Questions like “What do you like about the organization?” or “How does the organization benefit you?” are entirely different questions that might lead to a variety of comments and viewpoints, both positive and negative.
So, they are to be avoided.
Framing the question about value and meaning exclusively will normally solicit an upswell of thoughtful and heartfelt comments that will solidify why the organization plays such a pivotal role in the lives of so many. What a great message to end the day with.
A Daily Dispatch from the Front Lines of Leadership.
