Organizational leadership often spends countless hours defining corporate objectives in boardrooms, only to task HR or corporate communications teams with the challenging job of convincing employees to rally behind these new goals. This typically results in investments in internal campaigns and communication tactics that employees may not find engaging or relevant. But what if there was a better approach?
Enter effective “voice of” research methods. By involving employees before creating internal campaigns, companies can gain valuable insights into why employees do or don’t care about corporate objectives and initiatives. This approach enables organizations to uncover the most effective strategies for securing employee support and involvement.
The Misalignment Between Organizational Goals and Employee Concerns
In the pursuit of employee satisfaction, organizations often rely on traditional surveys and metrics. However, these approaches may fail to capture the genuine concerns and aspirations of employees when organizational goals diverge from what truly matters to them.
Shifting Focus: From Surveys to Needs Assessment
Rather than solely focusing on satisfaction metrics, organizations should conduct a needs assessment to understand the issues that resonate most with employees. This approach lays the groundwork for more authentic engagement strategies that address employees’ real priorities.
Bridging the Gap: Relating Company Strategy to Employee Values
To foster genuine engagement, leaders must bridge the gap between corporate objectives and employee values. This involves relating organizational goals to aspects that employees genuinely care about, such as job security, career growth, or work-life balance.
Transparency and Accountability: Demonstrating Impact
Gathering insights from employees is only the first step. It’s crucial to transparently communicate how their feedback has influenced decision making processes and organizational changes. This fosters a sense of ownership and empowerment among the workforce.