Written by Pat Perry
President, ERC
Perhaps some of you remember back to your days in elementary school when the annual “Santa controversy” reared its ugly head? For me, it was around second grade. In the days leading up to the holidays, classmates grilled each other as to whether Santa Claus actually existed. Of course, there was always one ringleader who professed that his/her parents told him/her there was no such thing. And you certainly did not want to be embarrassed by being the last one in school to know the truth. So, in an effort to remain in good standing with your classmates, you went home (unless you were the ringleader) and interrogated your parents regarding “Santa”.
I vividly remember the pained look on my dad’s face when I questioned him about the big guy from the North Pole. It is the same look, I am sure, that came across my face when my daughter questioned me about Santa years ago. I live vicariously through my kids during the holidays trying to regain magic lost through adulthood. So admitting the truth about Santa may be sobering for kids, but for some of us adults (like me), it is a reminder of a simpler time when the holidays were truly something special rather than the current tradition of gift cards exchange.
Like our children, when the truth settled in about Santa, many of us became painfully aware that all the fun, magic and mystery were gone - Santa evidently did not exist - it was all a lie. After surviving some psychological scarring, we moved on and proceeded to dispel other mythical figures like the Easter Bunny and Tooth Fairy.
Well, this is one kid who never wanted to grow up. Believing in magic and little miracles is really something.
As we approach the 2007 holidays, perhaps we need that magic to occur in our workplaces to push our organizations and Northeast Ohio forward in 2008. Here is a list for all of you “Santas” to ponder as you bestow gifts on your work force this holiday season: (Be sure to check it twice!)
- Eliminate probationary period policies - they send the wrong message to excellent performers.
- Be grateful that employees show up for work and perform.
- Network when you don’t need to.
- Support more balance between work and family life for all your employees.
- WOW top performers.
- Employ at least one unemployed person in 2008.
- Pay employees fairly and competitively.
- Employ at least one intern in 2008.
- Purchase services based on value versus price.
- Buy in Northeast Ohio whenever possible.
- Become passionate about selling your CEO on the idea that the road to unlimited success lies with developing a great workplace.
- Fight to increase your training budget.
- Incorporate wellness and health education into your health insurance program - you will save lives and money.
- Encourage employees to make their workplace better every day.
- Take risks.
- Avoid politics and destroy workplace bureaucracy whenever possible.
- Use the “Wizard of Oz” movie as a leadership development tool.
- Finally, mandate that each of your managers read Tom Peters’ “Re-imagine” and Robert Fulghum’s “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.” Then have them reread your organization’s mission statement and employee handbook to ensure these policies still make sense today.
There is more on my list, but space is limited. So many possibilities remain to provide all sorts of surprises and presents for your employees - some they will consider “miracles”. Many don’t even cost a dime!
So this year, don’t let the Grinch steal your business. Regardless of the news of the day or some economist’s outlook, you have a great ability to spread some workplace magic - you can make believers out of your employees that great things are possible. And maybe, just maybe, there really is a “Santa Claus”. … Quick, go look in the mirror to see.
