by Jonathan Jones
Not long ago I attended a company picnic hosted by a successful client. The first thing I noticed was how happy the employees were to show their families off to leaders. Warm greetings of “This is the boss I was telling you about!” mingled with responses like “So this is that wonderful wife/husband/son/daughter I’ve been hearing about!” The emotions were genuine because these managers, who’d made a real effort to know about their workers’ families, truly cared. The company’s owner, seeing the impact her company had on so many people, was deeply touched.
The impact of a positive culture in a company’s workplace goes far beyond any bottom line. When we come home from a positive work environment, we are more likely to bring those good feelings home and treat our families and friends the same way we’ve been treated in the office or the plant. Just as children pick up behaviors their parents demonstrate, employees model the way their managers behave toward others, whether peers or rank-and-file.
How a manager treats his people can influence the behaviors they take home to their families each night. Indeed, a good mantra to keep in mind might be: How you treat an employee today just might determine whether her dog gets kicked or petted that night. Numerous research studies have affirmed a definite correlation between bad work environments and divorce. To truly understand the health of your culture, study the interaction between management and workers at your next company picnic or party. Then ask yourself: How well do you know your employees’ families, and what is their opinion of you?
The impact of positive culture-centric leadership affects not only our employees but also their families and ultimately our collective future. Healthy communities depend on leadership’s skills passed through generations – by example.
Jonathan Jones (Jonathan.jones@vistagechair.com or 314-608-0783) is a CEO peer group chair/coach for Vistage International.
Submitted 9 years 238 days ago