4 Common Myths About Employees

September 1, 2022

Leadership and Culture at Work

I get to train a group of Real Estate Execs next week and I’m really excited about it. They are going to dive deep into learning more about themselves, the board of directors, as they work together in their Association.

As an Authorized Partner with Wiley & Sons Everything DiSC programs, I am certified to train and sell Everything DiSC Assessments and classes. It’s one of my favorite things to do.

I recently read an article from Wiley and it got my attention so I’m going to summarize it here for you and give some of my thoughts as well.

The article was called: Four Common Myths about Your Employees (you can read it here).

Myth #1: Not everyone wants to be a leader

So if that’s a myth does that means that everyone WANTS to be a leader? Well, no, but I remember once reading the results of polling Millennials in corporate-type jobs and one of the questions was: Do you consider yourself a leader?

The results showed that 81% of the respondents said YES. 81% of Millennials consider themselves to be a leader even though they may not have the title. Take note of this!

While it may be true that not all employees want to be in a formal leadership position, that doesn’t mean they don’t want to be a leader.

Therefore, developing leadership skills at every level is a worthy pursuit because better leadership is needed and wanted.

Myth #2: Pay is the most important priority for employees

In Wiley’s research, they found that pay is not the most important thing. In fact, culture ranks high in employee priorities. So if you’re thinking about moving to a new job for better pay, make sure you find out about the culture first or you may not be happy there.

Money does not equal happiness. I don’t know about you but happiness and quality-of-life ranks way higher for me than money.

Myth #3: Organizations don’t need to invest in the employee experience

Most employees today are stressed, disengaged, and frustrated. Do you think the 39% of employees who are disengaged (as stated in Wiley’s survey data) are at all productive? Probably NOT.

When asked in the survey, workers said the benefits of feeling valued at work are as follows . . .

Employees want to feel valued, and organizations and leaders have an opportunity to create a working environment where this can happen. Investing in the employee experience can positively impact the workplace and the people.

Myth #4: Employees are resistant to “return” to work

I don’t believe that employees are resistant to return to work, they’ve been working this whole time! It’s just the office they may not want to go back to.

What they don’t want to return to are places where work is inflexible or emotionally toxic and where they are not empowered.

Therefore, effective leadership and communication is so important to have a workplace where people want to be together.

People want to work; however, their priorities about work experience have evolved.

Wiley’s research shows that workers are seeking:

connection,
validation,
purpose,
and professional growth (not to mention benefits and paychecks).

The great migration started because employees wanted those things and were not getting it! People began switching to organizations that have a caring culture.

“It is up to leaders and organizations to embrace and empower employees to be successful during this period of transformation.”

The bottom line is this: Develop yourself and develop your people. It all starts with leadership.

I can help. If you want a more productive and happier team, offer opportunities for connection, purpose, growth and validation with Emerge Leadership Academy training programs.

Tell your boss about us!

Keep growing,

Maureen

On the Emerge. Evolve. Lead. podcast this week . . .

My guest this week is Sara Webb, an author/poet, inspirational speaker and a spiritual activist encouraging everyone to meditate. She is dedicated to sobriety and inspires people to access the power with themselves by teaching pocket sized techniques to process stress and improve daily happiness. She has a unique story you’ll want to hear.