Steve Miller:
As I ate my breakfast recently I was horrified to hear the findings of a report on GMTV highlighting that 40% of employees didn’t get on with at least one of their colleagues, and a staggering 23% hated their desk buddy so much they found an excuse to move seats to get away from them.
The report indicated that for some, it is so bad they wish they could work elsewhere, with 27% admitting they think about quitting their jobs daily, while another 19% consider it at least once a week.
The report also concluded that Brits are finding ways of avoiding some of their colleagues - more than 60% admit to pretending to be busier than they are, and one-third have acted like they haven't heard when someone has spoken to them. More than 35% have even picked up the phone to make a pretend call to avoid a conversation. And the main reason for not liking a colleague is laziness, with 46% saying this is the biggest fault about their co-worker.
Managers really need to take note of these figures and take action to ensure teams and individuals alike feel a sense of both team discipline and team spirit. Try out my six tips:
1. Ensure you have regular one-to-ones with all staff members. Provide two-way feedback on task issues and behaviours.
2. Ensure you are proactive when tensions arise. Sit down with employees and help them solve disagreements.
3. If an employee fails to conduct themselves in a professional and team-committed manner and you have discussed this, you should discipline them. There comes a point when counselling cannot continue and the disciplinary procedure must be carried out.
4. Organise great teambuilding activities. This doesn’t mean you all have to go outward bound. Try the odd bowling night, or a sing-along in a karaoke bar.
5. Ensure fair allocation of work. Avoid favouritism at all costs. If you spot employees picking up the phone faking conversations, taking more breaks than permitted or consistently blaming their co-workers, let them know this has to stop with immediate effect. Avoid being 'airy fairy' and just be honest.
6. Be a role model of excellence. Inspire the team when you walk into the office in the morning. Smile, say good morning to everyone, and leave any trivial troubles at the door. You are the leader so show your passion, hunger to do a great job and commitment to all the team.
BLOGATHON CHALLENGE QUESTIONS:
1. What is your favourite breakfast morning TV/radio station?
2. What papers/magazines do you read on your way to work?
3. What papers/magazines do you read on your way home
4. What is your favourite website?
5. What is the URL address of your favourite blog?
Write your comment and if you wish, please state your profession and nationality, then press publish.
Comments (9)
Posted by Jon Ingham | September 24, 2007 11:11 AM
1. Today (what else?)
2. FT, when I get a chance
3. Which ever freebie gets put in my hands first
4. FT
5. I've got lots, see http://strategic-hcm.blogspot.com/2007/08/my-hcm-blogroll.html (this blog is one of them)
6. If this is an experiment in social media, what about podcasting???
My podcast subscriptions include:
- HBR Ideacast
- Lucy Kellaway and Martin Wolf, FT
- Podcaster News
Jon Ingham, Executive Consultant, Strategic Dynamics
Posted on September 24, 2007 11:11
Posted by Carolyn Hines | September 24, 2007 12:44 PM
1. I watch GMTV in the morning as it isn't all doom and gloom - the smiley presenters bring a shimmer of light in an otherwise miserable morning!
2 & 3 I read the Metro on the way to work and London Lite/London Paper on the way home - all free (bonus), all full of celeb gosspip with a sprinkling of hard hitting news reports to keep me in the loop. Lovely!
4. What is your favourite website?
Hotmail & Facebook are the only 2 I use to keep in touch with friends. www.tfl.gov.uk & www.thetrainline.com is also vital to my existence but only for practical reasons! However, Christmas is only around the corner, so all my xmas pressies will be purchased on line to save the hastle of the high street!
5. What is the URL address of your favourite blog?
www.personneltoday.com/blogs/workplace-advice!!
Posted on September 24, 2007 12:44
Posted by Lindsey Hawker | September 24, 2007 1:58 PM
Staff bonding is at the heart of good internal communications.
Leaders within a business or organisation need to clearly communicate with staff in a language that is relevant to their service area and with the level of detail that truely informs them of the facts but will not distract them from positive and productive work activity.
If bad news needs to be shared then questions about staff success can lead to blame-games and staff division. Better to involve everyone in finding solutions to problems and encouraging a team effort to secure jobs and profitability.
If change management lies ahead make sure all managers have been factored into a clear communications plan/strategy that considers employee buy-in and benefits.
Staff are people and need to be treated with respect no matter what their hierachical position within an organisation. If employees are encouraged to join forces to compete with organisational competitors rather than with their colleagues then there will be less disaffection for the workplace to which they are confined.
It may sound crude but the more lab rats you put in a cage together the more aggressive their behaviour gets to one another. Similarly, we need physical space to think and to operate efficiently. If the building does not allow for desk movement then offer each employee the chance to go for an occasional 10 min walk outside of their usual breaks to creatively kick the leaves and to re-focus on what needs to be done before the end of the day. Also, run a deal with all relevant employees - if they prove to be very productive when working from home then give them the opportunity to make it a regular thing.
So much more to say- not enough time. Don't forget tools such as blogs, chat rooms, webcasts/podcasts, emarketing, focus groups, printed information, newsletters, websites for communicating to/from staff. Each of these tools needs to be used appropriately (eg:it's not a good idea to announce a firm buy-out using a pamphlet in the pay advice envelope!). The best internal communicators operate using both creative, emotional and operational intelligence. Call me if you need help 07737042493.
Lindsey
Posted on September 24, 2007 13:58
Posted by Elizabeth DB | September 24, 2007 3:57 PM
1. What is your favourite breakfast morning TV/radio station?
Today on Radio 4. It can't be beaten!
2. What papers/magazines do you read on your way to work?
The Metro, usually. How dull and commuter-y!
3. What papers/magazines do you read on your way home?
The Times, Glamour and Cosmopolitan.
4. What is your favourite website?
Facebook and Perez Hilton
5. What is the URL address of your favourite blog?
www.perezhilton.com
Posted on September 24, 2007 15:57
Posted by Reasonable Robinson | September 24, 2007 6:05 PM
1 BBC 24 News
2 The Times and pretend to do crossword :)
3 New Scientist
4 NASA.com
5 http://theviewfromthepond.blogspot.com/
Posted on September 24, 2007 18:05
Posted by Robert McIntosh | September 24, 2007 9:48 PM
1. Today on Radio 4.
2. None, I work from home so my commute is 10 steps down to the study. [Note: None of the commuting papers are actually news, but only gossip]
3. See above.
4. http://news.bbc.co.uk
5. http://www.wineanorak.com/blog (Jamie Goode's excellent wine blog)
Posted on September 24, 2007 21:48
Posted by HRWench | September 24, 2007 11:25 PM
1. I listen to The Adam Carolla Show on 101.1fm KUFO.
2. Since I drive my car to work the only thing I read are road signs...sometimes.
3. See answer to #2
4. Google (it's my gateway to everything!)
5. This is a tough one...but if I have to choose then http://www.gruntledemployees.com
I'm from the USA and work as an HR Manager. Cheers!
Posted on September 24, 2007 23:25
Posted by Jacqui Goldsmith | September 25, 2007 9:40 AM
1. BBC1 News and BBC Radio 1
2. I don't read anything on the way to work as I drive so it would be a bit dangerous...
3. When I get in from work, I read the Guardian on a Monday, and sometimes the Evening Standard on other days.
4. Facebook and BBC News
5. http://www.personneltoday.com/blogs/workplace-advice/
Posted on September 25, 2007 09:40
Posted by Helen Edmonds | September 26, 2007 1:37 PM
1. TV station has to GMTV, but my choice of radio station in the morning will change between Capital and Magic...I think I'm getting old(er).
2. I drive to work so not too sure it would be a good idea to try reading too!
3.Again I drive home, although I do take a look at my husband's Londonlite if he doesn't leave it on the train.
4. Facebook - Wish I had thought of that one!!! I always have it open and so flick in and out of it between doing other things.
5. http://www.personneltoday.com/blogs/workplace-advice/
Posted on September 26, 2007 13:37