By Bruce L. Katcher, Ph.D. President, Discovery Surveys, Inc.

9 out of 10 employees in successful organizations are proud to work there.

LEARNING FROM SUCCESSFUL ORGANIZATIONS

Each month I write about a problem in organizations and what can be done to resolve it. This issue focuses, instead, on the views of employees in successful organizations.

The findings below are based on my work in three successful organizations: a healthcare provider, a financial service organization, and a manufacturer. Each one is consistently profitable, a leader in their market, and is experiencing steady growth.

HOW EMPLOYEES FEEL IN SUCCESSFUL ORGANIZATIONS

Employees in successful organizations have very positive views in the following five areas.

1. Commitment to Quality

   9 out of 10 employees in successful organizations feel that the products and services their organization provide to customers is excellent. (In less successful organizations, only 6 of 10 feel this way.)

2. Understanding of Organizational Goals

   In successful organizations, 9 out of 10 employees say they have a good understanding of the goals of the organization. (In less successful organizations, only 6 of 10 feel this way.)

3. Confidence in Senior Management

   8 out of 10 employees in successful organizations believe that senior management makes good decisions, compared to only 5 of 10 in less successful organizations. Also, in successful organizations 8 of 10 employees say that senior management works well together as a team, compared to only 5 of 10 in less successful organizations.

4. Pride in the Organization

   In successful organizations, 9 out of 10 employees are proud of their organization, compared to only 7 of 10 in the less successful businesses.

5. Optimism About the Future

   8 out of 10 employees in successful organizations are optimistic about the future, compared to only 6 of 10 in less successful organizations.

 

CONCLUSION

In successful organizations, employees express:

• Commitment to quality work;

• Focus on the organization's goals;

• Pride in their organization; and

• Optimism about the future.