NCET Biz Tips: How to Lead with Diversity and Inclusivity
Diaz Dixon
In this particular day and age, we can see businesses struggle to attain and retain the talent needed to be productive and effective for long stretches. Some entities are throwing out sign on bonuses and other incentives to simply get people to walk through the door. However, your most effective dangling carrot perhaps, is the happy employee you already have.
Research has proven that retention of staff is much more cost effective than hiring new ones. So, you have to ask yourself, “Do I have a strategic plan for retention?” Separation costs can impact the budget immediately in regard to unemployment claims, severance and HR. Recruitment costs certainly aren’t cheap with the evaluation of the job description to the cost of training and everything in between. Productivity is lost while trying to fill the newly vacated position. If the answer is no to a dedicated plan, then it is time to truly DIVE in. (DEVELOP, INVEST, VALUE, EXECUTE)
Development of staff is very important. Before you can seriously and effectively develop others, you should develop yourself. Are you hypocritical or an actual mentor? Are you a pessimist or an optimist? What is your communication style? Developing good behavior starts with role modeling and learning good self-development will also help sharpen your skills in developing others. Employees need to know that conversations about development aren’t a trick to talk about weaknesses, but opportunities for them to take ownership of the process to become better versions of themselves. These opportunities should not just be in an annual review, but in the form of project reviews, regular interactions, or weekly meetings.
Invest in staff and the processes that surround them. In today’s workplace, people are looking for more than a transactional relationship where they go to work, perform tasks, and leave. They want to feel as though they are more than just a financial plow for a company. When a person sees that your company invests in employee development, they know that the company will value them and want to see them grow professionally and personally. Most individuals have a desire to be developed as employees are good candidates because they are showing that they want to grow their skills, and in turn, help the mission grow.
Gallup reports that 7 out of 10 U.S. employees report feeling unengaged. These individuals are less productive and are susceptible to burn out quickly. Furthermore, unengaged employees do not have a sense of connection or passion to their workplace and are more likely to exit. Investing in employee development creates opportunities for employees to feel excited about learning and growing, and it also creates opportunities for employees to form greater connections with one another. This connection is what dictates the work culture.
Value the differences each person brings to the team. It is easy to get caught up in performing and managing the day-to-day operations of a business and to only pay attention to the bottom line. It is imperative that employee development is not overlooked, as it produces many benefits. But how can you truly develop someone if you don’t know them? This is where we need to learn, listen, and value the diversity that people bring to our organization. Where are they from? What is their background? WHAT IS THEIR STORY? We could be missing an opportunity to represent something much larger than our mission or strategic plan. This is where Value makes us better human beings in the workplace.
Evaluate who you are as an organization. Simply ask your employees, clients, and those close to you… ”How do we get better?” We all have behavioral blind spots. We need to seek out those who can tactfully help us see a weakness that’s getting in the way of their effectiveness or advancement.
Learn more about fostering a positive organizational culture at NCET’s Biz Bite on Aug 25 at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center from noon until 1 pm with virtual networking from 11 am until noon. NCET is a member-supported nonprofit organization that produces educational and networking events to help people explore business and technology. More info here
Diaz Dixon is the CEO of Eddy House (www.eddyhouse.org) in the plight against youth homelessness in Reno, and owns Performance Driven Consulting (www.pdcreno.net), adding smartness to business solutions.