it's not about you (when employee engagement meets bad management)

i'm going to dip back into my old HR role for a moment here. (and by the way, did anyone else catch greta van sustren interviewing carla fiorina and slamming HR by saying women are often placated by getting some role in a company like VP of HR?  i laughed so hard.  see how seriously those actually with a seat at the table take HR?  and there's a reason why, but i digress....)  

laurie at punk rock HR wrote a post about team-building in response to a question from one of her readers.  her take is that team-building exercises are not usually meaningful.  and i agree.  

as i said in my response, with recognition lunches and such, you have to be careful with implementation. after all, if they’re done enough times they just become accepted and people not only begin to no longer value them, they’ll become ticked off when they don’t happen.

overall, though, i believe most team-building exercises are a waste of time and most senior management doesn’t realize how poorly they can come off.

i know of one company where the top senior-level person regularly held dinners at her home for her team of managers. she did one every december for the holidays. seems harmless enough, right? over time, the non-management employees saw it as a perk they never received and as another example of the divide between management and employees. and there was also this…..

this same company did two (2) holiday events every year. so if you’re counting weekends, that normally leaves about one weekend in december before everyone starts heading out to be with their families. that remaining weekend? you got it. that’s when the top senior-level person’s party would be.

the only people who really liked this idea were the poor managers who just loved getting to go to the ‘nice, big house’ and kiss butt. it didn’t make them better managers. and those who actually had a life? (yep. i said it.) those who actually had a life hated being obligated for so many company events at a time when most people want to be with friends and family.

don’t get me wrong. i do think there are some team-building exercises and events that can work. but too often, managers put together team-building events to make themselves feel better (”see what a great company we are? look at what we do for you!”)….or put together events that the manager would like, rather than taking the time to consider what the employees really value and what would mean the most to them.

most often, in my experience, cross-functional teams working to solve a problem go a long way towards building true respect amongst employees.  beyond that, voluntary sports teams and outings are great, especially if the bosses aren't around so it doesn't become an exercise in kissing booty.  (it's those social events that become expected and 'required' that cause problems.)

the trick is finding what works for your employees.....YOUR employees.  too often, poor managers put together events and programs because they're the popular thing to do.  worse yet, poor managers plan programs without considering the fall-out effect of costs of the programs or even possible negative backlash amongst employees.  and worst of all, are poor managers who put together a 'team-building activity' that is truly about their own ego, and choose programs or activities based on what they themselves would like.  (and then go on to convince themselves that their employees love it, when they don't.) here's the news to these managers:  it's not about you.  

it's about your employees.  

find out what they like, what is fair and what is meaningful for them.  maybe it is that recognition lunch.  maybe it is that holiday dinner.  maybe it's a day where they do service in the community.  maybe it's working together to solve a problem.  in the end, most people work to earn a living to support their families or reach other financial goals they have.  and in the end, most people just look to be treated with respect, to be appreciated, and to know they work for people they can trust.  if those things are missing, you can't cover them up with parties and social events.

so what really engages your employees?

before you answer, why not go ask them?

after all....it's not about you.

all the best!

deb

Comments

[Evil HR Lady]

Yes, yes, and yes. There is nothing that bugs me more than "fun" activities on what is supposed to be my own time. If you need to have a "team building event" it should be held on a weekday between 9 and 5 and should not involve spouses.

I don't do parties any more. I'm not interested and frankly, I don't care how it affects my career. Well, that's not entirely true. My husband's company has an annual event at a minor league baseball team game. We go to that every year. It's work for him, but as long as I don't say anything stupid or get ketchup on my blouse, it's just a free baseball game to me.

[Kate]

So true, why not give your employees some variety of choice for once, rather than throwing just another generic 'forced' dinner or 'drinks'. I work for a company over in Australia and we sell online gifts, our corporate clients are pretty honest about what has and hasn't worked. We sell experiences, basically companies can set up reward and recognition or incentive programs and accumulate RedBalloon points. They can use these towards our experiences- anything from sky diving, to hot air balloon rides, hot laps in race cars, wine tasting, cooking classes. There are bound to be similar companies over your way. But for ideas if you're ever stuck check out our site. www.redbaloondays.com.au

[Chris Young]

Great post Deb - You couldn't be more on the money!

I am sharing your post with my readers as one of my top five blog picks for the past week which can be found here: http://www.maximizepossibility.com/employee_retention/2008/09/the-rainmaker-f.html

Be well!

[deb]

@evil -- yep! and thanks for the comment!

@kate -- believe it or not, i've actually heard of red balloon days. interesting concept and interesting offerings! glad to hear from oz! thanks for the comment!

@chris -- thanks!! for the comment....and for letting myself and others know about the link.

all the best!
deb

[Bruce Lewin]

Hi Deb,

Many thanks for this, it was a great piece and really helped me writing a follow up.

http://www.fourgroups.com/blog/archives/04/the-war-for-talent-is-over-and-weve-won/

I tried to do a pingback but wasn't sure it worked, so I thought I'd say hello the old fashioned way!