This idea is excerpted from Barbara’s book “CARE Packages for the Workplace–Dozens of Little Things You Can Do to Regenerate Spirit at Work” (McGraw-Hill, 1996)

THE IDEA:

The senior leaders have a great deal of influence on how much spirit exists in an organization. If they support a family atmosphere and recognize the needs of the whole employee, then they make it much easier for individuals to make that spirit come alive.

THE IDEA IN ACTION:

Guy Shoenecker, the President and Chief Quality Officer of BI Performance Services in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is deeply committed to the “BI Family” and the company’s consideration for the whole employee–intellectual, skills, health, family, spiritual. To promote this feeling, Guy personally greets all visitors and new employees. He describes himself as a “servant-leader, cheer leading the team.” He makes it a point to always be at occasions when his employees need him such as visiting them in the hospital and attending funerals. He greets them weekly on the loudspeaker with “Hi! This is Guy,” sharing information with the entire company, and often stands at the door and shakes hands with many of the 1100+ employees as they come to work in the morning.

The company is founded on Christian values, and these are emphasized through respect, collaboration, and a commitment to the value of every individual. As a result, there are no job descriptions at BI, only accountabilities; associates do their own self-evaluation as an important part of their performance review; there is no private parking to separate people; titles are nearly non-existent; and even the executive offices are very plain. Open communication is encouraged throughout the organization. In fact, employees are encouraged to become “DWeeBS” (Dumb- Work Busters)!

In an article in Performance magazine, “How Three Companies Energize their Employees to Increase Profits and Win Customers,” BI is described as having “an unflagging commitment to its workforce:” These companies have come to discover that dedicated, galvanized employees — working together to achieve common goals– are essential to winning the struggle for greater profits, ever-higher levels of customer satisfaction, and market leadership.

Guy’s personal actions and support of the whole person has created a community with a commitment to quality and a feeling of belonging and caring for each other at BI. Cheryl Binzen, the Director of Contract Services, who has been with BI for 20 years, says, “It’s all about right relationships. Guy lives his beliefs of caring about people.” Right relationships built on respect result in regenerated spirits which, in turn, impact the bottom line. In 1994 BI was the first service company to win the Minnesota Quality Award.

TIPS:

Recognizing that human beings are your most valuable resource must exist in actions, not just in talk. When members of senior management personally demonstrate their commitment to the whole person, then others in the company will buy into the concept and make it a reality throughout the organization.