If we’re honest with ourselves as corporate leaders, we have to admit we should have better anticipated the workforce challenges of the COVID-19 recovery. Lives and livelihoods have been shaken, and shutdowns have frayed workplace trust. Business goals and employee goals are at odds. Competitive wages alone won’t fix this. Employees crave deeper meaning, not “just a job.”
To produce a more loyal and productive workforce, a company culture should reflect a shared purpose. Gallup finds that employee attitudes consistently predict important business outcomes, from absenteeism and turnover to customer loyalty and profitability. An engaged employee base is more collaborative, building a reserve of trust that helps resolve conflict. Workers can air differing points of view, yet rally around a single set of solutions.
