Culture & Self Esteem Part Final

As people, we have been conditioned or programmed to settle for less. We know that it is extraordinary to suggest for a company be responsible for an employee’s self-esteem, but there you go again buying that couch for your office. We are not supporting that you try to influence or control their self-esteem. We want to make you aware of the undercurrents that are at play in a culture change. When you encounter resistance or reluctance to your new ideas, understand where it is coming from. The source is much deeper than plain stubbornness.

Remember this, with a paycheck; you get the hands and feet of your employees. But you need their hearts and heads to build an organization that is legendary.

In these tough economic times, remember the link between your employee's self esteem and their job. When you have to lay someone off, you are not just impacting them financially, you are impacting them emotionally.

Many companies are trying the tactic of asking employees to take unpaid leave as a way of avoiding layoffs. While this is admirable, the attempt will only work in a culture that has engaged employees who trust and believe in the culture and know that if they make this sacrifice, it will pay back to them. Unfortunately, most companies using this tactic are "copying" others and because of the culture of that organization, this tactic will do measurable harm instead of good.

What is the legacy you are writing in the organization right now? If you left tomorrow, what would the people write in their blogs about working for you, with you and around you? What would you want them to say? You are not here for a paycheck either. You are here for something greater. Perhaps it’s a chance to make history. Perhaps it’s a chance to feed your creative monster inside. Or perhaps it’s to be part of building something that will last long past your tenure.