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 "The CEO is dead, long live the ceo" (Ian Buckingham's weekly blog www.by2w.co.uk).
A while ago, (at rather short notice it must be said), I was asked to contribute a quirky few words about employee engagement for inclusion in a book on this hot topic, soon to be published in the US. This contribution is part of a free resource offered by the Employee Engagement Network entiled Employee Engagement Keys from A-Z. It's a bit of fun but, as with all jest, there's a hint of truth in there too so if it works for you why not have a crack at creating your own if you're facilitating a workshop or are desperate for ways to spice up the next team brief?
The A-Z of Employee Engagement (from Olde England)
A – “Anarchy in the UK”. The Sex Pistols taught us a lesson about engagement and control that’s worth remembering as we become part of the establishment ourselves
B – “BS Bingo”! A great way to pass the time at the next leadership conference (eyes down for a full house of empty phrases)
C – chie f engagement officers (line managers and supervisors) are the new CEOs
D – enough planning already - just DO It!E - encourage your line managers to be the great communicators their people already know them to be
F – Facebook is the organisation’s friend. Social media isn’t a fad, embrace itG – “it’s great after being out late, walking my baby back home”. Now that’s engagement!
H – Hire people who are in tune with the values of your organisation (never mind PR and employer brand, the promises we keep are the ones that count so sort out that employment brand)
I – However well crafted communication should start and end with and “I” - “I see what’s in it for me”
J – Jack Johnson. He’s "on message" with several generations! Why exactly is that? K – “knock, knock”. It’s an economic downturn. Can the leaders open the door to the think tank and come out please?
L – real Leaders look in the mirror when things are going wrong not out of the window
M – Managers are an endangered species we’re not campaigning to saveN – “Naked” (and other “power” words)
O – Ordinary is good. Take back ordinary. Let’s make authentic communication ordinary, the norm!
P – Planning is our friend. But rather like doughnuts, too much planning really slows you down Q – “The Queen is dead. Long Live the Queen”. Whatever you may think of them Hero Leaders come and go. Line managers last a lot longer
R – “With great power comes great responsibility”
S - supercalifragilisticexpialidocious . You remembered it. Geddit?T – Taste, sight, sound, smell, touch – engagement’s about appealing to the lot
U – U2!?. More than a legendary rock band but a reminder that we’ve a great network out there and we’ve all got something to share and learn
V – Veal! A controversial topic and a great reminder that great engagement relies on communication that is fit for audience purpose W – Wales. I wonder what lessons we can learn from the Welsh about postcolonial centralised communication functions?
X – The generation who are responsible for much of the engagement activity
Y – The generation who are responsible for translating much of the engagement activityZ – Zoo! Whatever formal engagement strategies there may be it’s always going to be a fantastic, colourful jungle out there with grapevines aplenty so open those cages and connect with the people
This oddball offering and other more highbrow free resources are available at the Employee Engagement Network set up by the Canadian consultant and general good guy David Zinger. Why not take a look and join in the debate?
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