Today’s workforce is more disengaged than at any other time in history. It could be because of the generational shift from boomers to millennials, or it could be because people are generally disenchanted with society — whether it’s politics, religion, healthcare or the environment.
Many people are skeptical of their leaders because of what they see or read in the news. Honestly I don’t blame them. This is why we need to work even harder to unleash true potential at work.
Either we can play victim to this disenchantment or be out front acknowledging that the workforce needs and wants more. It is essential to shift our hiring strategies to consciously attract and bring in the right people, then commit to nurture, develop and empower them to win.
But this requires a shift in thinking about your role and how you contribute to the organization. It’s a whole new paradigm for unleashing human potential at work that includes transforming the hiring mindset so it looks something like this:
From head count to contribution margin
From filling jobs to achieving business results
From people are lucky to work here to we are lucky to access our people’s talent while they are here.
You may be frustrated because you want to make a bigger impact in your company. However, you feel trapped by the day-to-day wheel spinning and clean-up patrol expected from HR. Or, you may be tired of having your guidance and recommendations overlooked by hiring managers who don’t really know how to evaluate people or talent.
Your job is to empower people at work, so the company and the workforce talent can flourish. But so many HR professionals just try to serve, blend in and go along with the way things are done — no matter how crazy and unproductive it may seem. This has to change. You need to become a change agent, not only for yourself, but the company too.
By becoming aware of personal and professional barriers that impede effectiveness, you can begin to make a real difference in your workplace. Most of the barriers we experience begin within ourselves. It is amazing how many high level HR execs are never invited to strategic planning or high level business meetings.
But because you are exposed to so much relevant information daily, you should be part of the strategic process, especially when it comes to how people are hired, on-boarded and integrated into the organization.
So, it begins with you! Make yourself known and let your value shine. Shift your mindset and begin to share your insight. Redefine your role, leverage your value and begin to measure your personal contribution margin.
Grow beyond an order taker to become a difference maker. Own your power. Once you adjust how you see yourself and the value you can bring, you will begin to see shifts in turnover, employee engagement and workforce productivity. Give it a try. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Magi Graziano, as seen on NBC, is the CEO of Conscious Hiring® and Development, a speaker, employee recruitment and engagement expert and author of The Wealth of Talent. Through her expansive knowledge and captivating presentations, Magi provides her customers with actionable, practical ideas to maximize their effectiveness and ability to create high-performing teams. With more than 20 years’ experience as a top producer in the Recruitment and Search industry, she empowers and enables leaders to bring transformational thinking to the day-to-day operation.