While previewing a new manuscript from my friend Stephen Covey, I came across some terribly dispiriting figures from a Harris Poll of 23,000 full-time U.S. workers in key industries. Herewith a sample: 37% have a clear understanding of what their organization is trying to achieve; 20% are “enthusiastic” about their team’s goals. [TP: could the sample include the U.S. Olympic basketball team?]; 15% feel their organization enables them to execute key goals; 15% describe their organization as a “high-trust environment;” 10% believe the organization holds people “accountable for results.” (And so on.)
On the one hand I’m old enough to be jaded about organization life, and hence not surprised. On the other, how can one suppress a “What a waste!” Why don’t you (bosses) try these questions out on your unit of 3 or 333—and see how you measure up. And then consider in each case concrete, small, within-15-days steps to improve.
Key to the above: “15 days.” Life Rule #1: Don’t ponder such polls to death. Hit the road, electronically or physically, listen and take some “small” actions … IMMEDIATELY.