Preparing the Ideal Work Environment for Human Beings to Thrive

It is time for companies to transition from the limiting paradigm of "command and control" to the transforming paradigm of "inform and engage."

A work environment where employees feel like they’re being commanded or forced to complete their tasks produces dysfunctional, ineffective teams.

For those of you who have experienced some kind of force in your life, when you've been forced against your will, just think about your response. Think about the response of others when being forced or under stress. Think about the anger and frustration that you experience in your mind and in your being. Humans don't like to be forced, they don't like to be demanded to “do this is or else...”. Humans don't like to be threatened or have something held over their head. We bristle at that because it's not in our nature to be forced really to do anything.

Working with various organizations over the years, I unfortunately have seen this type of forceful management again and again. I know how it affects employees and teams. I know that there is a better way. It is time for companies to transition from the limiting paradigm of “command and control” to the transforming paradigm of “inform and engage.

Human engagement occurs when the brain, body, soul and will of a person all come together to accomplish a goal. When an employee is truly engaged, look out! That's when things really happen. I'm talking about when someone throws their heart over the bar and gives it their all. They become so involved and excited and focused about accomplishing something that nothing will stop them. They will work tirelessly, they’ll work overtime, they will think about their work outside of work hours and they will use their creativity to help produce more than what has ever been done before. It won’t just be more of the status quo, but something quicker and faster. Even better, they will do it with a smile and then they'll do it with enjoyment with their fellow teammates, associates and employees.

---

Most companies realize success in the market today requires having highly-engaged, highly-effective employees and work teams. In fact, according to one poll, companies with “highly engaged workforces outperformed their peers by 147% per share.”1 As we get better and better at engaging our employees we can accomplish tremendous things. I strongly believe it’s the foundation of success for individuals and groups to be truly engaged.

---

​The 4 Ideals for Human Engagement bring about positive work environments where human engagement occurs naturally without force or fear, without threat or coercion of any kind.

Over the last 20 years, my focus as a manager has been the development of a workplace where employees are happy, focused, and engaged; where miscommunication and bad attitudes give way to clear dialogue and expectations; and where work teams can produce incredible results. Over time, I gradually discovered—and now deliberately use—four specific principles to create a positive work environment in which human engagement can occur naturally without force, fear, threat, or coercion of any kind.

I call them the The 4 Ideals for Human Engagement™ and here they are:

• Courtesy & Respect
• Servant Leadership
• Operational Excellence
• Measurement, Accountability & Reward

Businesses both large and small suffer from the same basic dilemmas of poor employee engagement and the 4 Ideals can help them transform. I know that the 4 Ideals work because I’ve seen them in action on all levels. They are easy to learn and are very exciting to implement.
​
I am confident that if you will understand how to apply the 4 Ideals you can experience greater results in your personal life and in your organization or business. And the end result is everybody can win. When everybody wins, lives are lifted, great things are accomplished, and people gladly come to work and gladly go about working. Even in the most difficult and strenuous situations. People’s attitudes change because they are empowered to do so by true principles. The best part is that they will want to change!

If you will understand how to apply the 4 Ideals, you can experience greater results in your personal life and in your organization or business.  

So I hope I have peaked your interest. My goal is to help individuals and organizations learn and implement the 4 Ideals so that they can become engaged and successful. I want to hear from your experiences. What type of work environment has allowed you to be fully engaged and excited? What would a fully engaged work environment look like?

​Leave a comment below.

Sources:
1 -  http://www.gallup.com/services/190118/engaged-workplace.asp