The Hindu Business Line : Magic happens with real inclusion

“Just as great parents pay attention to everyone in their family, so great leaders pay attention to everyone in their organisations, bolstering his or her self-esteem and self-confidence at every step,” he explains.

Remember, everyone is important, urges the first of the ‘ten common sense leadership strategies from a life at Disney’ discussed in the book.

True inclusion, according to the author, is not just a matter of hiring policy or of respecting the differences among people from diverse cultures and backgrounds but about engaging and involving employees.

The secret is captured in RAVE — an acronym for ‘respect, appreciate, and value everyone.’

On the surface, a workplace can look as diverse as the United Nations, but if the employees are not truly respected, not truly valued, not truly involved, and not truly treated with dignity, what you have is a great photo opportunity, not real inclusion, the author bemoans.

Interestingly, magic happens when real inclusion is around; “employees are happy to come to work, and they’re eager to give you their energy, creativity, and loyalty.”

The second strategy is to break the mould and to structure the workplace with the aim of maximising your employees’ creative potential. “Your job as a leader is to figure out what the organisation should look like, not just to do your best within the existing design.”

Good organisational architecture not only keeps costs in line and maximises efficiency but also streamlines the decision-making process, enhances employee satisfaction, and facilitates creativity and innovation at all levels, argues Cockerell.
Also, rethink the meeting structure, he advises. “A great many meetings are held just so the boss can keep in touch with his employees, a worthy intention, but one that can be accomplished in more effective ways, like having one-on-one conversations and visiting with people in their workplace.”
Elsewhere in the book, there is again the diktat, that you spend meaningful time with employees. “You’d be surprised how much it means to people when their leader chooses to be with them — not looking over their shoulders but helping them, getting to know them, asking what they think and feel, and simply enjoying their company.”
Good leaders are environmentalists, describes Cockerell. “Their responsibility is to create a sustainable business environment — calm, clear, crisp, and clean, with no pollution, no toxins, no waste — in which everyone flourishes.”
Great takeaways, enjoyably presented.

D. Murali

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Magic happens with real inclusion