I just returned from the trip of my life to Ireland. It was 100% pleasure: no concerns, no email /voice mail –a true vacation. People asked me, what was the best part? I struggled with this question, but only once. It was difficult to pick my favorite thing, because there were many favorite things. But as I basked in my Ireland memories, the answer was clear – the people.
I have never felt so comfortable, confident and welcomed. Whether it was the young, hotel associate, the B&B owner, “Phil,” who I wanted to adopt as my grandmother, friendly bartenders, our tour guide, Dave Hogan, wait staff, or friendly residents, they were all genuinely welcoming. Their spirit, openness, and desire to make you feel at home was something that is difficult to capture with words. It needs to be experienced.
Since I have been home, and back in the game, I have been thinking about ways to incorporate “something Ireland” to employee engagement. Initially, I was over thinking this; actually, it’s simple. What I loved most about Ireland is what I love most about work-the people. Clearly I am not the first person to blog about how important people are to your company’s culture . But maybe I will be among the first to write about it from another perspective.
Example #1, Beacon Communities, is a multi-family housing development, management and investment company headquartered in Boston. They are a long-standing client of ours. When I walk into their office, or off-sites we facilitate, I instantly feel valued, respected, trusted, and welcomed. I also know I will have fun no matter what I am doing with Beacon. Awhile back, I was unable to join them for an offsite we hosted due to some minor medical issues. The Beacon group asked my boss if he would tape a message they wanted to send. Just watch:
Beacon Message (click link to watch brief video)
How lucky am I to work with them?
Example #2: SilkRoad is a SAAS, technology talent management company based out of Chicago. For years I worked with partners, I know the game. What I never experienced was a partner like SilkRoad. SilkRoad and TEEG have a partnership that is like no other.
-No executed partner agreement, per their Chairman, and Co-CEO,”Flip” Filipowski, and our Founder and President, Bob Kelleher
-Both companies have generated revenue for each other because we want to help each other succeed
-We have shared valued, business information that most partners don’t
-We don’t ask why when we are asked for something-we ask, “When do you need that”?
-Anytime I hear we are working with SilkRoad, I ask-may I help?
– After spending nearly 10 years with partners, I never once asked to have my photo with any of them, let alone their Co-CEO, Flip or CMO, Ed Vesely
Gallup doesn’t ask in their surveys, Do you have a best friend at work? for warm and fuzzy reasons. Gallup asks that question because employees who have friends at work are more engaged. It’s not rocket science, it’s just something we forget or take for granted.
Do your people make a difference? Do they make you feel welcomed, respected, and safe? No one does it like the Irish-and I hope I can bring some of that magic to the workplace.
Stephanie Mello, VPE
