Latest / LIFE Podcast with Dr. C / Trillion Dollar Leadership Blindspot

Transcript

Trillion Dollar Leadership Blindspot · LIFE Podcast with Dr. C

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_00: Whew.
• 0:07
  SPEAKER_00: Is that the sound of your workplace?
• 0:10
  SPEAKER_00: In the U.S., employee engagement has hit a 10-year low, costing the nation a staggering$1.9 trillion.
• 0:20
  SPEAKER_00: But what if the cure isn't a brand new program, but a new perspective?
• 0:24
  SPEAKER_00: Stay tuned for the live podcast where we uncover the secrets to a thriving workplace.
• 0:34
  SPEAKER_00: Hola, everyone.
• 0:35
  SPEAKER_00: And welcome to the Life Podcast.
• 0:37
  SPEAKER_00: I'm your host, Dr.
• 0:38
  SPEAKER_00: C.
• 0:39
  SPEAKER_00: Let me ask you something.
• 0:40
  SPEAKER_00: Have you ever felt that Sunday evening dread, that little knot in your stomach when you think about the work week ahead?
• 0:48
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe you've seen it in your team members, that look of just going through the motions.
• 0:54
  SPEAKER_00: As leaders, we see the symptoms, but we don't really understand the cause.
• 0:58
  SPEAKER_00: I spent over 25 years in leadership roles right here in Rochester and Buffalo area, primarily the nonprofit sector.
• 1:05
  SPEAKER_00: I've even focused my doctoral research on the very real issue of workplace burnout among frontline And through all of that experience, one question kept coming up, a question that cuts right to the heart of what we're talking about today.
• 1:21
  SPEAKER_00: Who is taking care of the people taking care of the people?
• 1:25
  SPEAKER_00: Today, we're moving from just knowing there's a problem to taking real concrete action.
• 1:31
  SPEAKER_00: We're going on a journey using my life pillars.
• 1:34
  SPEAKER_00: We'll learn the shocking new data on burnout and disengagement right here in the U.S.
• 1:39
  SPEAKER_00: We'll get inspired by understanding the human cost and the potential for change.
• 1:43
  SPEAKER_00: We'll discover how to help our teams and ourselves flourish with proven interventions.
• 1:49
  SPEAKER_00: And finally, we'll talk about how you evolve as a leader, starting right now.
• 1:56
  SPEAKER_00: All right, let's get right into the new data, the information that should be a wake-up call for every leader in America.
• 2:03
  SPEAKER_00: According to a recent Gallup report, employee engagement in the As of early this year, only 30% of U.S.
• 2:14
  SPEAKER_00: employees are actively engaged in their work.
• 2:17
  SPEAKER_00: Let that sink in for a minute.
• 2:19
  SPEAKER_00: That means less than a third of our workforce feels enthusiastic and connected to their jobs.
• 2:25
  SPEAKER_00: So where is everyone else?
• 2:27
  SPEAKER_00: Well, about 17% are actively disengaged, meaning they're resentful that their needs aren't being met and are acting out on their unhappiness.
• 2:36
  SPEAKER_00: And the rest, they're just there.
• 2:38
  SPEAKER_00: See, this isn't just about Yes, that's with a T,$1.9 trillion annually in lost productivity alone.
• 3:01
  SPEAKER_00: And engagement is only half of the story.
• 3:03
  SPEAKER_00: The twin crisis is burnout.
• 3:06
  SPEAKER_00: As of last year, a staggering 69% of workers reported that they experienced a loss of productivity.
• 3:10
  SPEAKER_00: And we're not just talking about being tired.
• 3:15
  SPEAKER_00: Burnout is a serious state of physical and emotional exhaustion.
• 3:20
  SPEAKER_00: We're seeing symptoms like chronic fatigue, cynicism, apathy towards work, and a total sense of helplessness.
• 3:40
  SPEAKER_00: insufficient opportunities for growth, and the lingering stress from the shift to remote and hybrid work, which has left many employees feeling disconnected from their organization's mission.
• 3:53
  SPEAKER_00: Okay, so that's the what, a workforce that is more disengaged and burnt out than it has been in 10 years.
• 4:01
  SPEAKER_00: Now that we have the data, let's talk about the human side of the story.
• 4:05
  SPEAKER_00: In my own research, I heard things that were truly heartbreaking.
• 4:09
  SPEAKER_00: One person told me in My family gets what I have left, not my best.
• 4:14
  SPEAKER_00: Another was told by their doctor that their job was, and I quote, killing them after their blood pressure became dangerously high from workplace stress.
• 4:24
  SPEAKER_00: This isn't just about productivity numbers.
• 4:27
  SPEAKER_00: It's about people's lives.
• 4:29
  SPEAKER_00: The impact of these stressors is predictable.
• 4:32
  SPEAKER_00: A lack of managerial support leads to decreased productivity.
• 4:36
  SPEAKER_00: A lack of resources leads to decreased work quality.
• 4:40
  SPEAKER_00: A culture without authentic relationship, well, it leads to disengagement.
• 4:45
  SPEAKER_00: And for employees from marginalized groups who often face the additional burden of microaggression, it leads to a profound decrease in their trust in leadership.
• 4:57
  SPEAKER_00: But here's the inspiring part.
• 5:00
  SPEAKER_00: Fixing this isn't about huge expensive programs.
• 5:05
  SPEAKER_00: It's simply about listening.
• 5:09
  SPEAKER_00: See, I love this story from an article in the Harvard Business Review.
• 5:13
  SPEAKER_00: At a university, a music faculty leader spent their entire annual improvement budget on a fancy new soundproof studio.
• 5:27
  SPEAKER_00: Nothing.
• 5:29
  SPEAKER_00: See, engagement was low and some faculty didn't even show up to the ribbon cutting.
• 5:33
  SPEAKER_00: Why?
• 5:34
  SPEAKER_00: Well, because nobody asked them what they needed.
• 5:37
  SPEAKER_00: What they really needed were new music stands, which would have cost only$300.
• 5:43
  SPEAKER_00: See, the old ones were broken and the students' sheet music was constantly falling on the floor.
• 5:49
  SPEAKER_00: So for just$300 and a simple conversation, leadership could have shown they cared, solved a real problem, and kept That's the inspiration.
• 6:01
  SPEAKER_00: The power to change this is closer and less expensive than you think.
• 6:07
  SPEAKER_00: It starts with asking the right questions.
• 6:11
  SPEAKER_00: Okay, let's pause for a moment.
• 6:14
  SPEAKER_00: You've heard the tough data on burnout and disengagement.
• 6:17
  SPEAKER_00: But don't get discouraged because the second half of our show is all about the fix.
• 6:21
  SPEAKER_00: So coming up, I'm sharing simple, low-cost strategies you can implement today to build a team that thrives.
• 6:27
  SPEAKER_00: Take a second to hit the follow on your podcast app.
• 6:33
  SPEAKER_00: It's the best way to make sure you never miss these insights.
• 6:36
  SPEAKER_00: Now, let's get back to the solutions.
• 6:39
  SPEAKER_00: Okay, so this is the part where we build.
• 6:43
  SPEAKER_00: How do we create a culture where people can flourish?
• 6:46
  SPEAKER_00: The Gallup report and my own doctoral research points to the same clear intervention for leaders.
• 6:53
  SPEAKER_00: First, enhance your managerial practices.
• 6:56
  SPEAKER_00: See, your managers account for 70% of the variance in team engagement.
• 7:01
  SPEAKER_00: So the key is to be a supportive coach, not a boss.
• 7:05
  SPEAKER_00: Provide clear purpose and expectations, offer consistent feedback, and recognize achievements in a way that's meaningful to your employees.
• 7:14
  SPEAKER_00: Next, master the one-on-one.
• 7:17
  SPEAKER_00: Have regular, reoccurring one-to-one meetings with your employees.
• 7:21
  SPEAKER_00: Co-create the agenda with your employee.
• 7:23
  SPEAKER_00: This builds ownership and ensures the conversation is meaningful for them.
• 7:29
  SPEAKER_00: And remember, foster open communication.
• 7:32
  SPEAKER_00: Create a safe space for honest discussions.
• 7:35
  SPEAKER_00: Use one-on-ones or even anonymous surveys to understand team morale and identify stressors early because when you listen, you build trust.
• 7:45
  SPEAKER_00: Second, provide real organizational support.
• 7:49
  SPEAKER_00: This is about setting your people up for success.
• 7:52
  SPEAKER_00: So promote true work-life balance.
• 7:55
  SPEAKER_00: This is more than a buzzword.
• 7:57
  SPEAKER_00: Encourage regular breaks.
• 7:59
  SPEAKER_00: Set boundaries around after-hour communications and model this behavior yourself.
• 8:06
  SPEAKER_00: Ensure realistic workloads.
• 8:08
  SPEAKER_00: Burnout is often a direct result of being overwhelmed.
• 8:11
  SPEAKER_00: So redesign workloads to align with human capacity.
• 8:15
  SPEAKER_00: When a position is vacant, distribute tasks equitably and compensate your team for the extra work.
• 8:22
  SPEAKER_00: I'm going to repeat that.
• 8:23
  SPEAKER_00: Distribute tasks equitably and compensate your team for the extra work.
• 8:30
  SPEAKER_00: Next, you can invest in employee development.
• 8:33
  SPEAKER_00: So give your team access to training, mentoring, and personalized career plans.
• 8:39
  SPEAKER_00: When you invest And third, and most importantly, cultivate a supportive and inclusive culture.
• 8:48
  SPEAKER_00: See, culture is everything.
• 8:51
  SPEAKER_00: Prioritize wellness.
• 8:53
  SPEAKER_00: Frame burnout as a workplace hazard.
• 8:55
  SPEAKER_00: Your mission to improve lives must apply to your employees first.
• 9:01
  SPEAKER_00: Remember to recognize and appreciate.
• 9:03
  SPEAKER_00: Recognition is a powerful motivator.
• 9:06
  SPEAKER_00: Tailor your appreciation to what motivates each of you.
• 9:09
  SPEAKER_00: It boosts morale and strengthens their commitment.
• 9:39
  SPEAKER_00: value them as people, not just as producers.
• 9:44
  SPEAKER_00: We've covered a lot.
• 9:46
  SPEAKER_00: We've learned the stark reality of the U.S.
• 9:48
  SPEAKER_00: workforce.
• 9:49
  SPEAKER_00: We've been inspired by the human stories and we've laid out a roadmap of how your organization can flourish.
• 9:55
  SPEAKER_00: Now it's time to evolve.
• 9:57
  SPEAKER_00: What is the one step you could take today to begin this journey?
• 10:01
  SPEAKER_00: I want you to try management by wandering around.
• 10:05
  SPEAKER_00: Get out from behind your desk and talk to your people.
• 10:09
  SPEAKER_00: And when When you talk to them, I want you to ask one simple question, a powerful question.
• 10:15
  SPEAKER_00: What would make work better for you?
• 10:18
  SPEAKER_00: Then just listen.
• 10:19
  SPEAKER_00: Don't get offended.
• 10:21
  SPEAKER_00: Don't get defensive.
• 10:22
  SPEAKER_00: The data you collect from these simple human conversations is the most invaluable data you will ever receive.
• 10:29
  SPEAKER_00: It's the beginning of building trust, creating engagement, and truly caring for the people who are taking care of your mission.
• 10:38
  SPEAKER_00: That's how you evolve, not with a grand plan, but with simple questions and a genuine desire to hear the answer and together seek a solution.
• 10:50
  SPEAKER_00: Thank you for joining me on the live podcast today.
• 10:53
  SPEAKER_00: I hope you feel inspired and equipped to help your team flourish and to evolve as a leader.
• 10:58
  SPEAKER_00: Because if you don't take the time for your employees wellness, you'll definitely be forced to take time for their illness.
• 11:05
  SPEAKER_00: That's all for this episode.
• 11:07
  SPEAKER_00: Did today's conversation spark an idea?
• 11:09
  SPEAKER_00: Don't let it fade.
• 11:10
  SPEAKER_00: If you're ready to lead the change in your organization, hit subscribe and share this episode with another leader.
• 11:16
  SPEAKER_00: Together, we can build workplaces where everyone can thrive.
• 11:20
  SPEAKER_00: Until next time, keep on learning, stay inspired, continue to flourish, and never stop evolving.
• 11:27
  SPEAKER_00: I'm your host, Dr.
• 11:28
  SPEAKER_00: C, and this is The Life Podcast.