Things are quickly getting back to a new normal, and business leaders are being challenged to manage this transition effectively. Businesses were forced to do things this past year that unfortunately stripped employees of their sense of security – getting them back to work and again feeling trusted and secure is going to take great skill and empathy. That’s easier said than done – case in point, Amazon: this year they increased their workforce by nearly 30% (400,000 + workers) – all of whom were most likely happy to have the job but also stressed by the demands to perform up to the company standards. That friction led to the biggest union campaign and vote in recent memory. And that may be the tip of the iceberg – Amazon pays $15.00 per hour, offers full-time work, and has great benefits – all of the things we normally think would be hard for union organizers to overcome. But the bottom line – if employees don’t feel secure, trusted and respected, all of those costly compensation items pale in the face of that uncertainty. And that’s what employees are looking for today – security and good benefits, in that order. Amazon won, but the lessons are clear. In your rush to re-open, don’t overlook Maslow’s hierarchy of needs – there’s a war for talent and the winners will be those that understand that basic psychology (more on this tomorrow). This crisis is really going to reveal the character and caliber of your leadership abilities. Rise to this challenge today.
Anne Chow: Senior Vice President – Premier Client Group, AT&T Global Services https://www.att.com/Common/about_us/pdf/anne_chow.pdf
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