Curtis JoyPowered(TM)

Intentionally Creating an Inspired Workspace
1. Auflage 2016
ISBN: 978-1-4835-8028-9
Verlag: BookBaby
Format: EPUB
Kopierschutz: Adobe DRM (»Systemvoraussetzungen)

E-Book, Englisch, 140 Seiten

Are you settling for a tolerable workspace? JoDee Curtis, SHRM-SCP, CPA challenges you to make yourself and your workspace JoyPowered?! Find out how to create a dynamic and inspired workspace by focusing on strengths instead of fixating on weaknesses. JoyPowered? helps organizations and individuals understand how to structure their relationships and environments to focus on their strengths, bringing out the best in others and themselves. A healthy work culture doesn't have to start at the top; an inspired workspace starts with YOU!

Autoren/Hrsg.

Curtis, JoDee

Leseproben

Start with Engagement
 
JoyPowered™ is a step up from engaged. Since “engaged” is a more commonly used term, though, let’s start by defining it:
 
“Engaged employees are involved in, enthusiastic about, and committed to their work. Gallup’s extensive research shows that employee engagement is strongly connected to business outcomes essential to an organization’s financial success, such as productivity, profitability, and customer engagement. Engaged employees drive the innovation, growth, and revenue that their companies need.”
- “U.S. Employee Engagement Reaches New High in March,” by Amy Adkins, dated April 13, 2016, www.gallup.com  
In March 2016, Gallup reported the highest level of engagement in US workers since their survey began in 2011. The percentage of U.S. workers whom Gallup considers "engaged" in their jobs averaged 34.1%.
   
Great news, right? Engagement is at its highest ever! But 34%? If you have 100 employees, 34 are engaged; 66 are not. Have 1,000 employees? 340 are engaged; 660 not. That’s scary! No wonder we complain so much about customer service! If the chance that we are dealing with someone who is engaged is only 1 in 3, it’s likely that our chance of good customer service is only 1 in 3, as well.  
This book is about JoyPowered™ cultures – a level above engaged – and only 34% of employees are even engaged? Maybe I’m jumping ahead a bit. With my futuristic strength, that’s easy for me to do! I’ll slow down a bit, though, and focus on engagement before diving into JoyPowered™. Does culture start at the top?

Every time I hear someone talk about culture (and I hear people talk about culture a LOT) they say, “Culture must start/change at the top.” I respectfully disagree. I wildly disagree. Okay, umm, I think that’s ridiculous.
As many of the business books say, clearly the “tone can be set at the top.” I’m good with that. But culture? That is for the majority. That, my friends, can start with you, no matter where you are. Each of us has the power to influence our environments, even in a negative environment. We can take the initiative to be positive, and it will spread. Are there low expectations for a positive culture?
 
In a survey not nearly as accurate, scientific, or reliable as Gallup’s, I asked hundreds of people if they had a positive culture, and why they would describe it as positive. Overwhelmingly, most people said they had a positive culture, but their responses to what made it positive led me to think they had pretty low expectations. Trust and respect were common answers. Of course, I believe these are important, but they seem pretty basic. I would hope that trust and respect were a given, part of our expectations for a safe environment, a step below or at least at the core of a “positive” culture. Maybe I’m a bit naïve - I do have the positivity strength, so I’m totally naïve at times - but I’ve also been spoiled to spend most of my career in cultures where I had trust and respect within a positive culture.
 
These types of answers led to me to think that my question was too general. What I wanted to know, I guess, were the differences between a safe environment and a truly positive culture. What is a positive work culture?
 
I asked people how they would describe a positive work culture. Here are some of the answers:
  It’s about development and growth
 
“Staff is always willing to support in any way that is possible. The culture fosters growth” – Bonnie S.  
“I can be successful and accomplish what is expected of me. I think we try to make it so everyone can learn, grow, and succeed” - Elli J.  
“I'm constantly pushed to learn new ways to improve myself and improve my clients’ experience with our organization. While I'm encouraged to always be improving & innovating, my organization provides me the time to dedicate myself to searching, learning, & then applying what I've learned to my organization/clients.” – Michael P.  
“The culture is one of change and opportunity.” – Erin S.  
“Employees are empowered to make decisions & collaborate.” – Jeremy Y.
  It’s about having fun at work
 
“We try to have fun every day doing what we do” – Lisa P.  
“Celebrating when customers successfully met their goals, no matter how small or large.” – Lisa M.  
“We stay focused on delivering value to the client and have fun doing it.” – Chris S.
  It’s about people who care
 
“We have a high number of employees who are actively engaged in their work and are truly passionate about it.” – Amanda G.  
“Everyone respects each other, and we leverage our talents. There are certainly times when we are challenged, but we know we have the support of each other to keep it going” – Linda D.  
“It is a place where people can be honest and open with one another. I think people like to come to work and support one another. People feel free to speak their minds.” – Fr. Richard D.  
“My work setting is unique in that the owners/bosses are not from the US (from India), and they view their employees truly as family. With family there are always frustrations but overall a positive environment.” – Leslie M.  
“We are collaborative and compassionate. These are things that I consider create a positive environment; that is, one which leverages a person's personal values, encourages growth or exploration and lifts the spirit to greater things tomorrow than yesterday.” – Tim M.  
“As an educator, there is extra pressure to model behaviors you want others (students and staff) to emulate. As a Title I school many of our students come from poverty and we feel a responsibility for school to be a refuge and opportunity oasis.” – Alice S.
  It’s about the team
 
“Teamwork, collaboration, constantly learning = positive culture” – Stephanie D.  
“Our culture is very positive because of the team aspect, the autonomy, & the entrepreneurial spirit we encourage. We strive for excellence and hire great team members who accept and embrace that challenge. We allow flexibility and don't micromanage our team members.” – Lisa P.  
“The constant conversation between supervisors and their teams helps create an open and positive atmosphere.” – Michael B.
  It’s about goals, vision, and values      
 
“We have specific, shared goals and a vision that we are all clear on, and our roles are clearly defined.” – Linda D.  
“There is an authenticity to the culture which exists. We have clear core values, a tightly defined mission and vision and a leadership team who lead by example. All of this adds up to a truly authentic, accountable and engaged workplace culture.” – John R.  
“Our mission is to ‘think positive’ no matter what and is something we discuss often.” – Catherine S.  
“It’s motivating and enjoyable. We have smart employees who are very collaborative, open to new ideas, fun and a pleasure to work with. We're also quite lucky to have a strong, humble and brilliant leader who supports and encourages this culture.” – Vanessa B.  
“The workforce is engaged, issues are resolved promptly, high level of trust between leadership and employees, culture is focused on values” – Lauren M.
  It’s about recognition
 
“I am acknowledged for my good work” – Erin S.  
“It’s a culture of continuous feedback, support and being the best we can be. We are very open and honest, and everyone is extremely driven. We listen to each other which is so important. People get credit for their ideas and talents.” – Maggie P.  
“Recognition of good efforts is fairly consistently delivered.” – Mark S.  
“Environment is flexible, and feedback is effective and phrased in a positive manner.” – Peggy H.
  It’s about using strengths
 
“I have honed into my strengths. I bring in contractors who want to do the same thing, so there is usually a lot of energy in our work.” – Angela N.  
“My boss empowers me. I am sought out for my perspective and assistance among staff.” – Kevin A.
It’s about being focused on the customer
 
“They trust me to do this and still do what I need to do to assist my clients in my everyday work.” – Michael P.  
“We are focused on making a positive impact for our...