The Challenges of Employee Engagement: Throwing Rocks at the Corporate Rhinoceros By: Roger D’Aprix Presented by: Khepera Youngblood

Roger D’Aprix -An internationally known communication consultant, lecturer and author who has assisted scores of Fortune 500 companies in developing their communication strategies and redesigning their communication training. -Vice President of ROI Consulting, a Silicon Valley- based consultancy - He teaches distance-learning courses for Ithaca College’s graduate professional courses in communication. -The author of seven books on employee communication. - Held senior positions with two of the leading human resource consulting companies: Mercer and Towers Perrin for 15 years.

Workers as Mere Units of Cost  The history of human capital leadership both before and during the Industrial Revolution was a sad affair.  The underlying premise was that workers were untrustworthy creatures and needed more than anything to be parented … rewarded when they listened and punished when they didn’t.

Workers as Mere Units of Cost cont…  Many organizational leaders have clung to the old views despite all the evidence and have continued to mistreat the members of their workforce.  In the financial crisis of , 72% of U.S. companies chose to reduce their workforces to save money and improve their bottom lines.  70% of employees say those actions have negatively affected how they feel about their workplace and employers

Engagement as a Soft Issue The word”soft in the corporate world is usually a derogatory word. Communications professionals face a rhinoceros of their own. Institutional leaders must now share power and win followers who are inclined by virtue to give their best efforts in support of the organizations goals and mission.It is all matter of balanced leadership. Four Types of managers/leaders: 1. The ruthless, who focused on the numbers regardless of the people costs. 2. The people managers, who thought people and their needs were infinitely more important than any numbers. 3. The incompetent, who achieved neither the financial nor the the people goals. 4. And then the only managers he wanted to keep: the ones who met the numbers through excellent people leadership.

The Rock Throwers  Various rock throwers are having an impact on those who believe soft management issues arent worth being address… such as the Gallup Organization.  Gallup Organization has been the leading advocate of the notion of engagement  Developed 12 survery questions or “Q12” which indentified which organizations had the greatest percentages …

The Rock Throwers  The Top 10 primary drivers of employee engagement.  1. Senior management interest in employees well- being  2. Improved my skills and capabilities over the last year.  3. Organizations Rep.for social responsibility  4. Input into decision making in my department  5. Organization quickly resolves customer concerns  6. Set high personal standards  7. Have excellent career advancement opportunities  8. Enjoy challenging work assignments that broaden skills.  9. Good relationship with supervisor  10. Organization encourages innovative thinking.

The Engagement Power of the Boss..  One of the most critical influencers of employee behavior is the behavior of the boss.  Coaching, listening providing performance feedback, and recognizing accomplishments - all of these are the basics to bringing out lasting levels of engagement.

Driving the Rhinoceros Away…  A recent report from Towers Watson claims that in the aftermath of devastating layoff and high unemployment, employee engagement has declined by 9 percent overall and 23 percent for top-performing employees. (Finney,2010)  Engagement requires an effort by all concerned parties to “attack” the important causes of disengagements.

Conclusion  Engagement is not a simple matter. It is a complex process that is vital to an organizations competitiveness and business success.

CHAPTER 20. QUIZ  1. What were the two companies D’Aprix held a senior position in?  2. How long did he hold those positions?  3. What is the Gallup Organization?  4. What college does Roger D’Aprix currently teach at?  5.What are the 4 steps to the basics of bringing out lasting levels of engagement?