We each deserve a Great Workplace

"I work with really good people, in a great company." Is that something you as a worker or employee would honestly say about the place where you work, when no one from management or HR is watching over your shoulder? We all deserve joy in our work. It helps us flourish at work, succeed in our careers, and feel fulfilled as a person.

Last week, Bill Jensen, author of Simplicity: The New Competitive Advantage, Hacking Work, and Disrupt! Think Epic. Be Epic, along with fellow collaborators Johann Gauthier, and Sue Elliot, recently shared The Great Workplace Declaration (see below). Even before this declaration, I have been thrilled with having Mr. Jensen as an advisor to my own company, Alynd. This declaration shares the same work ethos that we believe in, and want to encourage.

We give significant part of our lives at work, and regardless of how much else we have in our daily lives, we still want our efforts to be meaningful. A great workplace is not about employees being 'actively engaged' in some vision set by the leadership of an organization. It is about working in a place which shares the same values as you do. Where you honestly believe that the values you and fellow employees want are also what the leadership aims for, and vice versa.

You accept the work not just because you are paid to do it, but because you want to and give your consent. You know you will be recognized for your direct contributions. It also means a workplace that will adapt with you, and allow you to be flexible.

In return, organizations gain productivity, flexibility and deeper commitment from those who are actively a part of it every day. Workers are much more willing to stick around for the hard times as well as the good times. They connect more extensively within and beyond the company to share how they view their workplace as well.

No great workplace exists without sacrifice. Saying you are a great workplace, or even lauding your place on some industry list, is simply superficial without the daily practice, participation, and pronouncement by people who do the work. It requires servant leadership that seeks to serve all parties, over stockholders-first only. It seeks effectiveness in doing the right things over efficiency in doing things faster.

Join us in sharing this affirmation, if you believe you should be in a great workplace too.

Rawn Shah is Chief Strategy Officer, at Alynd, Inc. a software startup that focuses on building collaborative productivity. He is also an independent analyst, author, and a regular contributor to Forbes.com.

Phoebe Shin Venkat (潘煦琦)☮️

Building inclusive communities that equip and inspire

9y

Love the concept of giving consent. I have never thought about happiness at work that way and now it makes so much sense. Any authentic and strong relationship must be built off of consent. It makes it easier to weather storms and enjoy wins together.

I agree! My next book is in English - and on this subject!

Johann Gauthier

Coach génie créatif, auteur, conférencier, formateur, conseiller en voyages et entrepreneur social | J'aide les leaders et les entrepreneurs à penser différemment pour obtenir des résultats différents ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

9y

Yes! Be epic! Amazing share. Let the invisible tribe come to life!

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