It’s that time of year again: annual reviews, when all leaders document the successes of the past year.
Many times leaders feel like the circus performer balancing plates; there are so many demands, which ones do I focus on?
Leaders are required to deliver shareholder returns, customer satisfaction and employee engagement; all which are integral to the successful company.
How did you do last year balancing the success of those that invest in your company – Shareholders and Customers – with those that are your company – Employees?
Here is the challange:
Long-term sustained success comes from satisfying the needs of all your constituents.
- – Your shareholders seek a profitable return on their investment.
- – Your customers seek value in their purchases.
- – Your employees seek personal growth and fulfillment along with company success.
- Yes, employees want and need both personal and company success; one without the other will not lead to a sense of engagement that is so important. If the employees are growing, learning, and adding value, but the company isn’t successful, they will feel insecure about the future of the company. On the other hand, if the company is successful but no one is growing, learning or adding value, then the employee will feel insecure about the future of their role in the company.
But does it really have to be a balancing act between shareholders, customers, and employees?
Could investing in each employee’s growth lead to sustained success for shareholders and customers and inturn the company? Tell me what do you think and I will report back in my next post.
5 Responses to The Balancing Act of Success
Joy December 17, 2012
Investing in each employee’s growth is necessary to ensure the company is growing. When you have employees who are learning and growing, they are more engaged in their daily work, and begin to think about the big picture, rather than one small piece of the process. As they become more engaged, you see the impact on their work, and the impact they have on those around them, as well as the impact they have on their customers. If your employees feel that you truly believe in helping them grow and develop their skills, they will be more loyal to you and the organization. This will positively impact the shareholders and customers in the long run.
admin December 17, 2012
Thank you Joy, great comments.
Marnie December 17, 2012
Absolutely! I think that when each group takes the time to invest their employee’s growth, you are able to see a noticeable change within that group. If the organization promotes the same pathway to growth opportunity then the change is multiplied. The question is do you have a knowledgeable and engaged guide to direct your travel down the path, or is the path just lightly traveled? If you have a named guide, at the organizational level, then there is no value to customers and shareholders because there is no engagement. What you will see when one group is fully engaged in growth, is a slow wave of other groups want the same thing. This eventually leads to customer and shareholder value, just longer to realize.
admin December 17, 2012
Thanks Marnie, I agree the right guide makes all the difference.