It’s almost taken for granted. The economy of the United States ranks as one of the largest in the world.
A global economic prominence does not happen by accident. Ordinary American employees make it happen.
The US is also known for having a very high level of output per person. Ours is definitely a nation of achievers. (To learn more about global economic rankings and GDP country comparisons, see the CIA’s online-published information at its The World Factbook.)
I think HR professionals deserve to take a bow. They help businesses turn ordinary employees into high achievers. Don’t take just my word, however. Read this HRTools.com Insight to learn what the former Chairman and CEO of General Electric, Jack Welch, said about the very important role that HR plays in business.
As Welch said, HR is much more than planning picnics. HR is about developing fully engaged employees and helping businesses:
- grow;
- achieve greater successes; and
- improve the bottom line.
So, how is this done? It’s accomplished by tapping into the potential of and motivating everyday ordinary employees. A comprehensive list of methods and best practices could, literally, fill volumes.
If you, or your organization, want a briefer version, here follows 10 tips for turning ordinary employees into high achievers. What’s more, these HR best practices can help leaders develop a fully engaged, high achieving workforce at little or no cost.
- Learn to anticipate what your organization needs, so you can foster winning strategies for greater employee productivity.
- Create an environment of mutual trust and respect, so you can foster an empathetic workforce committed to mutual respect.
- Reinforce a creative environment, so you can foster and encourage innovation.
- Make work meaningful, so you can leverage the human desire to make a difference in one’s working life.
- Develop strong leaders within your organization, so you can foster proactive rather than reactive leadership.
- Engage all four generations within your organization, so you can foster a workforce that mirrors a diverse marketplace.
- Emphasize and practice open, frequent, two-way communication, so you can foster employee engagement and silence the rumor mill.
- Focus on individual growth and career development (through mentoring and coaching), so you can foster an insightful, energized and interested workforce.
- Recognize and celebrate individual and team achievements, so you can foster a personalized, flexible and fulfilling work environment.
- Encourage volunteerism and communicate community-service opportunities, so you can foster a quality of life for those communities in which employees live and work.
Today, more than ever, businesses cannot afford to fall short and waste human potential. It’s just not an option that any competitive business should consider.
HR professionals know and value the lay of the land. When employers tap into HR best practices, prepare to stand back and watch ordinary employees turn into high achievers.