Did you know that your vehicle is equipped with a complex communications system that self-diagnoses problems and actually tells you when it needs service? You may have noticed the lights and symbols on your dashboard.
Each light is your vehicle’s way of communicating with you, with the check engine light being the main indicator that there is a problem. Just like a notification on your phone that you have a text or email, the check engine light is a notification that you need to head to a shop where an expert can read the code that communicates which system needs your attention.
If you ignore this innocent little light, you may potentially cause a catastrophic engine failure. If your vehicle’s job is to get you from point A to point B safely, then it is your job to heed its warnings and get the problem fixed so your vehicle can continue to produce the power to drive you to your destination.
Surveys are the check engine light of the workplace. Smart employers use surveys to learn which systems, teams, or processes need repair or attention. Wise employers learn from surveys and immediately implement those repairs or changes based on the survey results.
Just as ignoring the check engine light can lead to engine failure, ignoring survey results can lead to high turnover, burnout, dissatisfaction, low morale, and even increased medical absences. The most successful race car drivers are those who know when to shift into a different gear and make subtle changes to meet road and weather conditions.
Your employees are ready and willing to share with you ways to increase their engagement and productivity if only you will have the humility to listen and implement simple changes. Henry Ford revolutionized industry by making changes we see as common sense today.
You have hired your employees to do the work you don’t have the skills, knowledge, or time to do yourself. Trust them to tell you how to help them serve you better. As a leader, you have the responsibility to create the right workplace environment to drive the organization forward.
Simple shifts you can implement now:
- Trust your employees
- Remove fear, anger, and intimidation from the workplace.
- Take action on survey results.
- Treat everyone as a human being with unique experiences and challenges.
- Promote honest work-life balance.
- Place employees in the right role for their skillset.
- Watch for body language as well as other signs that the employees are being pushed too hard.