|
How's the weather?
(Organizational Wellness Barometer™)
by Sandra Larkin
It’s that time of
year when people and business begin anew. As this year closes and a
new calendar year begins, the workplace scurries with good cheer,
improved commitments and stretch goals. The business unit plays a
vital role in whether the company dreams and aspirations of success
(attained goals) are reached in the coming months.
Business success is
equally about people and profits. A company who is profit
successful may not be people successful. How do you know? Check
your Organizational Wellness Barometer ™.
According to The
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, a barometer
is defined as “An instrument for measuring atmospheric pressure,
used especially in weather forecasting”. As well as “Something
that registers or responds to fluctuations; an indicator”.
A company’s profit
responses to the pressures of the economy as well as the desires and
demands of its consumers. The same holds true of its most valuable
asset… the dedicated associates who manage our customers and
processes. They too will respond to the pressure and fluctuations
of culture, attitude, and leadership by reacting in
ways which may be counter productive to the overall mission
and vision of the company.
To keep on top of
your Organizational Wellness Barometer ™, here are a few
checkpoints …
·
Communication
How effective is the communication between levels of
management as well as peer to peer? Is there more negative “water
cooler talk” about the company and/or management associates than
positive?
·
Team
Are there cohesive teams among project members and
departments? Is there an air of working in individual silos verses
working together to reach the company goal?
·
Leadership
Is the leadership team involved and visible in the day to day
operations of the company where its people see their effort? Is the
leadership attitude more team oriented than hierarchal?
If we react
positively to these few checkpoints, congratulations! On the other
hand, if we wince at the thought of one or more, time to strategize
a prescription for optimal organizational health and wellness using
the whole person approach ™.
Make the most of
the coming year. Get ready, get set! Your off and running towards
making your profit and people industry best.
Source:
"barometer." The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English
Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. 18 Dec.
2007. <Dictionary.com
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/barometer>. |
