There is far too much that could be said about the state of the modern workplace that could be included in just one article. The business world has drastically changed since the pandemic and there isn’t a company out there that hasn’t experienced ups and downs. Unfortunately, many companies have made changes during 2020 that no longer make sense. Even more so, many management teams are still preaching the same old song-and-dance.
“Listen to your employees vent and take their words into account with every decision you make.”
“Allow your employees the freedom to work however they please and only intervene when necessary.”
How ridiculous do the statements above sound when you really think about them? If you are a business owner who has spent years developing a successful brand, why would you want to all of the sudden check your personal and financial well-being at the door for an employee
who may only work there for a few years? As harsh as it may sound, a workplace is a preschool and business leaders aren’t there to take care of their workers every need; that is even if their workers have to be physically present in the office. Your role isn’t to make sure that your employees are achieving self-actualization or some combination thereof. You have provided them an opportunity to develop and hone their skills under the umbrella of the context you’ve created, nothing more, nothing less.
This doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t be empathetic or have to be a “jerk.” But it does mean that there is a growing sentiment that people are tired of hearing about how important the vast range of ideologies that have become mainstream now are, and becoming more concerned with the economy and how their businesses will survive the coming months. There is an economic storm brewing (which there has been for some time) and the last thing on any CEOs priority list should be what size ping-ping table to get for the break room.
Work can be a “fun” place to be as you connect with your colleagues and employees. However, the idea that work has become a playground for those who now don’t have to report to anyone in-person anymore has to go. It’s time for modern business leaders to recognize the changes in the modern employee and adjust accordingly.
And adjusting doesn’t mean offering ridiculous benefits or providing employees with free Starbucks because it makes them more inclined to have a caffeine-rush or productivity and be in a good mood because you’ve saved them $7.50. It’s about recognizing the importance of getting back to “business as usual,” or however you want to define it. It’s time to simply get back to the basics of hiring employees that are qualified for the job, providing them adequate tools and resources to grow and develop their skills, and maintain a positive relationship that ultimately benefits the company. Your role as a business leader shouldn’t be much more than that.
If you would like to learn more about how an experienced business coach can help you navigate today’s modern business climate, I’d love to hear from you.
