Comments on: The Not-So-Surprising News About Job Satisfaction

By: Terry Starbucker

Terry Starbucker — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 04:16:00 +0000

Thanks Donna! You put your finger on exactly what I’m shooting for – our key values and mission on the lips of every teammate. That “why” is SO important. Thanks again, and all the best!

By: Gal Morale

Gal Morale — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 21:17:00 +0000

Great post Terry! I'd like to comment on employees being engaged in a company's mission. In the last couple of years, I've worked with organizations that are, as evidenced by their results and customer service stats, giving true red carpet customer service. Without question, the leaders in thes companies use the mission, vision and value statements as guiding principles for their team. While most organizations spend a great deal of time crafting their mission statement - only to stick it in a frame on a wall never to be discussed again - red carpet service providers TALK about their mission and their values. They bring them up at every meeting. They ask their team members to articulate how they can tangibly LIVE the values of the company. They use them as guiding principles when they hire employees.

At these companies, any employee you stop will be able to tell you what the values of the company are and what it means in terms of ACTION.

And these employees are pumped! They not only know what they do...but they know why they do it.

They are beyond satisfied...they are happy in their work.

Warmly,
Donna Cutting
aka Gal Morale

By: Terry Starbucker

Terry Starbucker — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 21:32:00 +0000

Thanks Jim, Rosa and Herman for stopping by!

Jim, good point on the "fun" aspect. That does indeed mean different things to teammates, although what you've experienced pretty closely jives with my observations.

Rosa, I agree that being "listened to" is clearly what's behind a fairness statement - I know that's the driver in my workplace. I also agree (and hope) that the "greater good" will be more talked about in workplaces as we go forward.

Herman, you hit the nail on the head - none of this is really surprising. However, every day that goes by I realize more and more that a "cause" to rally around is of paramount importance. Great stuff Herman, thanks.

All the best to you all.

By: Herman Najoli

Herman Najoli — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 01:01:00 +0000

One needn’t be an employee to understand the shift that has taken place in modern thinking as regards job satisfaction. The very paragon of management genius, Peter Drucker, won’t need to be persuaded to rise from the grave and give his unreserved endorsement to the fact that modern employees are motivated by a lot more than money or perks. An inner voice tells me that high pay and lavish benefits are not the in-thing with most employees. Yesterday’s in-thing became today’s out-thing. Look at the rise of social entrepreneurs, for instance. In any case I am convinced that without a mission or cause that centers you, you will not survive long in today’s unique work environment.

By: Rosa

Rosa — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 23:39:00 +0000

Thank you for the pointer Terry, it is indeed an interesting discussion.

In my experience, "fairness" is the word most misunderstood. I find that employees usually mean they want their input equally listened to and considered as opposed to the strictest definition of equality, for they do well understand that all things are not equal in the workplace. In fact, individual consideration is preferred, and they do not want to be treated like everyone else strictly in the name of fairness.

I think we will also start to hear much more about "contributions to society" with the ever-increasing trends toward social entrepreneurship. Blog Action Day on 10/15 is but one example of shifts in consciousness and heightened feelings of responsibility.
~ Rosa Say | Managing with Aloha

By: Jim Stroup

Jim Stroup — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 14:53:00 +0000

Excellent post and observations – right on the money.

I would add that we might want to avoid running away with any ideas the “fun” part suggests to us, before, again, simply asking the staff what they mean by it. In my experience, what many take as a fun workplace is one where productive and meaningful work is done in a supportive and collaborative environment – much of which is suggested by the other adjectives used in the piece.

Thanks again for a great item!