Archives for August 2009

Wedneday@Work Poem: Stereo Conflict

August 5, 2009 by David Zinger Leave a Comment

In this corner…

The match is about to begin.

Manager poised behind desk.

Employee ready in one corner

Employee expectant in the other corner.

The bell sounds

…

He said she said

But she said “no you are wrong.”

So she said he said

And he said “that isn’t right.”

…

At the end of 10 rounds

They stopped and awaited the manager’s verdict

Like plaintiff and defendant on Judge Judy.

…

The manager paused, deep in thought.

Wondering if he should have spaghetti or salad for lunch.

Then looking up he replied, “I’ll look into it.”

…

Ever hopeful that time would

allow for healing

cause forgetting

or whisk him away to a new department

without direct reports

him feeling cornered

and the sound of conflict ringing in his ears.

…

David Zinger is a leading expert on employee engagement. He is committed to creating authentic and sustained employee engagement for the benefit of all. Contact David at (204) 254-2130 or Email dzinger@shaw.ca.

Employee Engagement and Record Setting Performance

August 4, 2009 by David Zinger Leave a Comment

Are we providing the close connections or tools for employees to create record setting employee engagement?

The new swim suit trumps. Most of us are now well aware of the controversy in swimming about the use of the high tech suits that are contributing to record setting performance. There were 29 world records in 5 days and 7 world records set in 90 minutes. The technology has created heated controversy in sports and the world class swimming community as the new suit seems to trump what swimmers were able to do before.

What helps your people move? The new suit helps swimmers move quicker through the water. What helps your people move quicker or more effectively through their daily performances? Are you on the lookout for the tools or assistance we can offer employees to create and sustain their best performance?

On the surface. In most of our workplaces I don’t think it will be an article of clothing. Perhaps it is a new piece of software or opening up the firewalls to allow for more authentic and effective use of social media tools. Perhaps it is creating more flexibility in when and how people work.

The deep end. I suspect that some of our robust engaged performance will come not from something only skin deep. I think it will be our conversations, our connections, our sense of commitment to meaningful results. When you dive into yourself or your organization, what are the 2 or 3 keys things if people did differently would make the biggest difference. I love the work coming out of Vital Smarts and The Influencer that encourages people to zero in on results but then identify the 2 or 3 vital behaviors or moments that will make the biggest difference.

Suit up. I encourage you to dive deeply and swim quickly in search of the connections and tools that will help your people (and yourself) perform at your best.

Do you have a “swim” tip? I would love to hear from you if you already have something that creates fabulous performance in your organization. What is it and why does it work so well?

Photo Credit: Will Trubridge on Flickr by http://www.flickr.com/photos/jayhem/3601351382/

Engage 5 with Jolanta Liebzeit

August 3, 2009 by David Zinger Leave a Comment

Engage 5 is a weekly feature of Employee Engagement Zingers. Engage-5 asks leading thinkers, writers, consultants, practitioners, and others involved in employee engagement to complete 5 sentences.

Read Jolanta Liebzeit’s 5 sentences on engagement:

I define employee engagement as continuously valuing individual strengths, contributions and accomplishments in the workplace.
Our biggest challenge in employee engagement is encouraging employee awareness that engagement in the workplace is possible and a continuous journey.
A powerful way to create greater employee engagement is to discuss, brainstorm and share ideas and strategies without judgment.
I am personally most engaged at work when I am able to contribute to the team by taking ownership of tasks.
To learn more about employee engagement be self aware while thinking outside the box everyday.

If you would like to contact Jolanta directly email me and I will send you her email address.