When I first started working after finishing my professional career, I joined an organization where employees felt proud to wear the different brands of the company. I clearly remembered how they proudly wore t-shirts, lunch coolers, caps, and even ties with discreet logos of the company’s products.
"There is no labor crisis of the type 'people no longer want to work'; people are simply tired of working with tyrannical leaders," reflects a former employee. This perception has intensified across industries since the pandemic and goes beyond internal morale within companies.
Peter Drucker posed the uncomfortable question: "How many of you have inactive people on your teams or in your companies?" prompting a revealing reflection on leadership within organizations. According to a survey conducted in the United Kingdom, the perception of feeling "valued and appreciated" at work has eroded since the pandemic.
Items such as t-shirts, caps, and other corporate giveaways used to be symbols of recognition for achievements attained, but today, job loyalty is being questioned. Data supports this perception, showing a decline in employee pride in their companies and a decrease in job commitment.
The responsibility lies with leaders; a good leader can make a difference in employees' perceptions of their work. The decline in pride not only affects productivity, but also influences customer satisfaction and loyalty. Levels of job engagement are declining, evidencing a failure in the relationship between employees and organizations.
Wellness programs and flexible benefits have been implemented to improve the "employee experience," but it is crucial to directly address the situation with employees. Factors such as work stress, lack of purpose at work, and lack of development opportunities contribute to job and emotional burnout.
In summary, it is essential for leaders to reflect on the impact of their leadership on employees' motivation and commitment. The lack of recognition and appreciation affects the mental and physical health of workers and impacts the quality of the products or services offered by companies.
