Renew, Restore, and Rebuild

Gallup’s 2013 Report on the State of the American Workplace is Revealing

Spring is a wonderful time of the year to renew, restore, and rebuild in all areas of your life, including your workplace.If you are not fulfilled or are feeling stress from your workplace, you are not alone. Gallup’s 2013 State of the American Workplace survey showed that of the approximately 100 million people in America who hold full-time jobs, 70% of American workers are disengaged at their jobs. Are you engaged?

Why are so many employees disengaged? Gallup’s Chairman and CEO, Jim Clifton, states, “Here’s something they’ll probably never teach you in business school: The single biggest decision you make in your job — bigger than all of the rest — is who you name manager. When you name the wrong person manager, nothing fixes that bad decision. Not compensation, not benefits — nothing.”

According to the report, 20% of working Americans are so actively disengaged at the office that they are actively undermining their co-workers’ work. The conclusion–these employees have bosses from hell that make them so miserable that they roam the halls spreading discontent. The other 50 million (50%) American workers are not engaged. They’re just kind of present, but not inspired by their work or their managers.

In my book, I discuss how the ego-driven boss dis-empowers employees.  Gallup research also shows that these managers from hell are creating active disengagement costing the U.S. an estimated $450 billion to $550 billion annually. If your company reflects the average in the U.S., just imagine what poor management and disengagement are costing your bottom line.

Obviously, we need new kinds of leaders in the workplace and the world. We are all leaders in some capacity and so we can start with ourselves in creating an extraordinary workplace. Here are some suggestions for renewing, restoring, and rebuilding.

1. Be mindful and spend time in meditation.  An ancient practice, we now know that spending time in quiet mindfulness or meditation connects us with our deepest self, reduces stress, clears our mind, and ultimately helps us be more productive. As we connect with the present moment we are renewed to our inner, authentic and powerful self.
2. Face your own inner fears, doubts, and insecurities.  When we allow ourselves to gently look at what we fear, imagined or real, it gives us relief and actually allows us to move forward with less apprehension. When we accept ourselves as we are, we feel restored.  It is the running from our fear and the resistance that causes pain—not the actual anticipated event.
3. Give yourself a vacation from worrying. Worrying is always about anticipated future pain and can cause atrophy in the present. Tell yourself you don’t have to worry about anything for 3 days and then stop yourself when you are tempted. After 3 days you will realize if you can go 3 days, you can go longer.  As a society, we are addicted to worrying and fretting about things that usually never even occur. Relax and feel yourself be restored and energized.
4. Connect with others at work on a more authentic and compassionate level.  Look at other people’s eyes. I don’t mean the standard “make eye contact” rule for business.  I am talking about seeing others by noticing their eyes and saying to yourself, “I see why other people love or care about you. I can too.” Imagine viewing your co-workers as if they were a brother, sister, mother, father, or other loved one. You will begin rebuilding relationships on a deeper, more humane level, rather than viewing others as enemies or people not to be trusted. Do this exercise with strangers too, when you are walking, shopping, or in crowds.  See our common humanity in the eyes of others—the windows to the soul.
5. Recognize the strengths, not the weaknesses of those you work with. Truly great leaders recognize their job is to empower others, not validate their own personal worth. As you are restored to your authentic self, rather than your small ego self, you can directly impact the personal restoration of others. You will be the one who helps create an extraordinary workplace where people are successful, fulfilled, and compassionate.

Read my article in Leadership & Change Magazine

Leadership & Change Magazine issue 6 is out and this month, it’s free! The publishers want to spread positive leadership and kindness at work. Leadership & Change Magazine is your positive, personal and pragmatic guide to help you make a difference. Read more here: http://www.leadershipandchangemagazine.com

A magazine for both Apple and Android phones and tablets! It’s a GIFT this month, published by Marcel Lamers and Marcella Bremer, based in the Netherlands.They work worldwide through OCAI Online (culture survey), video trainings, books, webinars, live workshops, coaching and consultancy in leadership, culture and change.