Often I am asked to define a positive organization in terms of “real world” practices. It is a fair question. Last year one company decided to hold “Positivity Month.” The CEO kicked things off with a letter accounting the practices that were already in place. His list provides one answer to the question:
- Values that are clearly communicated, deeply meaningful and genuine
- A clear & compelling higher purpose: protecting people & environment
- Work-life balance, flexibility on working hours/locations, respect for family time
- Open book finance, transparency, teaching our people the great game of business
- Profit sharing that is transparent, forward looking & seeks to deliver extra paycheck(s)
- We give part of profit sharing to fund industry scholarships & donor matching
- Employee representatives on our 401k committee drive decisions & financial learning
- Community Service Officer fosters & facilitates giving, volunteers & social/enviro responsibility
- Culture Council: a multi-function, employee advisory group that shapes policy
- Net Promoter Score is the voice of the customer, customer connections, devotion to service
- Company pays 80% of premiums for family health insurance
- Subsidized healthy snacks, employee contributions match donations
- Subsidized fitness, biometrics, on-site employee led classes, stand up desks
- 5 Year visioning process, Company Alignment (1 page roadmap)
- Meaningful education reimbursement, service awards & referral bonuses
- Unique performance feedback, alignment, goal setting & self-appraisal/reflection
- 121 position alignment provides clarity of expectations, facilitates job crafting
- Leadership calendars, responsibilities & self-appraisals are available to all colleagues
- Published colleague ‘user manuals’ to foster understanding & work relationships
- Transparent compensation process, management standard increase is lower % than lowest paid
- Talent reviews = more fair performance assessment & talent development
- Open training for all colleagues on leadership skills, visioning, change, finance
- Leadership forum to teach our management how to lead & foster better relationships
Reflection
- Would you work for this company?
- Which practices impress you the most?
- What could be done differently in your organization?
- How could we use this passage to create a more positive organization?
The colleague “user manuals” made me smile. What an intriguing idea 🙂
Thank you. Given that it is intriguing, what new action ideas come to mind.