Emotional fuel… keep their tanks full!

We all know that food is the fuel to keep our bodies going. Water is the oil and food is the gas. You could say these are our essential needs as human beings. At work we’re really good at making sure our employees have everything they need: ergonomically engineered work stations for optimum output, best software and hardware to get the job done, and a bunch of other stuff that corporate America hides behind as meeting people’s legitimate needs.

OK, I admit we do need the “stuff,” which are tools to help us succeed at what we do, but how about appreciation? Appreciation is our emotional fuel. Mother Theresa once said, “People crave appreciation more than food.” Conversely, Henry Ford said, “Why do I get the whole person when all I want is a pair of hands?” Is it any wonder Detroit has ended up where it has? Now let’s look at Toyota. They make cars, too. They have the same equipment and engineers and “stuff.” How come they don’t seem to be hurting as bad as the Big Three?
 
The answer is Toyota realized that they pay for the hands of their people but they can have their hearts and minds for free! How? They call it Lean Manufacturing, but essentially they take the time to ask their people what THEY think could improve processes and operations. They don’t tell their people what to do; they lead them instead.

It’s going to be an uphill climb for me in my crusade to bring inspirational leadership into the workplace. However, I’m determined to keep preaching and teaching employee engagement by creating tools and systems to help bring about the changes that I believe are needed in the world.

It’s been said that employees’ pay is their right but your praise is a gift. Start involving your employees. Ask their opinion and give praise when you see them doing things right.

Joe Kiedinger

ACTION PLAN: Give 3 people honest appreciation today!