- Dr David Cowan
This is a fun way of looking at the serious problem of when employee engagement fails, and when communications are not based on open dialogue. In the Comments section, feel free to add your own suggestions and why you chose them! Have some fun with this!
10. Blondie - "CALL ME"Before joining the company, the employee-to-be has this in their mind, they want a call to get the job and they can’t wait to start! An employee is never more positive about the company than when they are thinking about joining, before getting embroiled in the work and workplace politics: remember this. | |
| | 9. Phil Collins - "ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE"Like the first interviews, the first day in the new company everyone speaks well of life there. They are eager to get to know the new employee and figure how they will fit into “paradise.” Successful on-boarding helps the employee, so you should give practical support and a realistic picture,. Have a mentoring program that guides the new employee through their journey in the first days, weeks and beyond. |
8. The Monkees - "I'M A BELIEVER"We want all employees to sing this in their heart, backing the company mission, embracing the company values and living the dream. Recognize that people’s objectives and values are not necessarily the same as the company mission and values. Values need to be part of the management approach, so provide a toolkit and practical support to managers both to live and implement values day-to-day. | |
| | 7. Marvin Gaye - "I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE"As the new employee settles in they soon learn about how things get done, who is who in the cast of characters in the company narrative, and of course they hear too much informally and too little from the horse’s mouth. Respond to the rumor mill, find your natural communicators and make best use of the informal communications network in your company. Remember, internal communication is not just a function, it is the activity of every single employee you have. |
6. Chic - "LE FREAK"The employee knows the honeymoon period is over when their boss freaks on them, or the CEO freaks on the department and sends everyone (especially the Communications Department!) scurrying about like headless chickens. Poor communication and miscommunication is the reason why panic sets in, or why people freak out with each other. A lot of control can be put into the situation by training managers in internal communications, because internal communication is not just the function, it is the activity of each and every employee your organization has. P.S. Tell the CEO they are often the most disruptive employee! | |
| | 5. Bryan Adams - "(EVERYTHING I DO) I DO IT FOR YOU"Loyalty is expected, in spite of the grapevine, the freaking out and the counter-narrative suggesting this is not paradise after all! But still, the new employee wants to convince the boss they’re dedicated to the cause. What motivates employees? It’s not just the money. They want respect and recognition. Paying people well gets people doing what they have to, but reward and encouragement gets them doing what they want to! Just as in other areas of life, happiness is a diverse state and we prefer to be happy, but being happy is not just smiling but feeling valued. |
4. The Beatles - "HELP!"Eventually, the truth is out and the employee knows how things work “around here” and either fit in or start to look elsewhere. If they are struggling they usually turn to colleagues for help to survive and to others outside the company in search of a way out of their problems. When an employee is struggling to fit in or having a problem with work, someone somewhere usually knows about it. Question is: who are they and what will they do about it? They may exploit the situation or they may help. This is a sensitive and tricky area, so if an employee is struggling, what cultures exist in your company and how can you monitor them and sensitively offer a way forward? | |
| | 3. Queen - "ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST"The boss ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy! HR does its’ stuff, and another person is lost to the company, knowledge walks out the door and those who remain talk to maintain reassurance they’re ok, the lost employee is not ok. Organizations love to welcome new people and love to announce their arrival, but struggle with departures. There is often secrecy surrounding the event, leading to gossip. It is far better to be transparent and give proper recognition when people leave. Remember, you’re often saying farewell to knowledge capital as well, and the more emotional the situation the more you’ll lose. How developed is your exit strategy for employees? |
2. Oasis - “DON’T LOOK BACK IN ANGER”Best advice to the leaving employee, move on and don’t feel you’re in the wrong, some people don’t fit and some companies are not fit places to be! Word of advice to any employee leaving a company: Whatever the problem, don’t look back except to learn. | |
| | 1. Lionel Richie - "SAY YOU, SAY ME"With a site like The Dialogue Zone and a tool called The Dialogue Box, this had to be number 1! The trajectory of this Top 10 Hit Parade can be avoided by engaging, inclusive and positive dialogue. So, start talking now! |
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