Inspiration comes from the strangest places.I was recently cutting onions for a new soup recipe; I had the radio tuned to NPR and was listening to an interview of an author about his new book.  He was talking about the link between Maslow’s Hierarchy ofNeeds and business culture.  Okay, go on, I thought.  After all, I was a Psychology major…and have a passion for business culture.  CEO Chip Conley, of the boutique hotel chain Joie de Vivre, talked about his new book, PEAK:  How Great Companies Get Their Mojo From Maslow.  I really agreed with his points, and decided to go and get his book…not to be found on Bay Area shelves this week, however. I visited his site and wrote to him how inspirational he had been, and he actually wrote back in 20 minutes! 

I was re-inspired…all CEOs should be so good.I know what Chip was saying is true…you have to stay connected to your employees to build culture.  People’s basic needs must be met, and they must have higher needs (e.g., sense of belonging) to feel part of the organization.  I have been passionate about this for years.  I have done a great deal of strategic visioning and planning work over the years, and the connection seems to be lost when the executives try handing this stuff down from on high to the people who actually make it happen.  There is a disconnect.  

People don’t get it.  Root Learning, who specializes in Strategic Engagement, has a great graphic that depicts a chasm between managers and employees.  It is a powerful and vivid image that represents what happens in organizations.  And if you don’t create that connection, all the hard work is lost, and people become disengaged and frustrated.Storytelling done by leaders talking about the purpose for change and the direction of the company can be a very powerful tool in helping people see the importance of the strategy.  Employees need to know what the change is, why it’s important and what they can personally do to make it happen.

Tags: employee engagement, leadership, storytelling // Add Comment »