As with a lot of things in life, work can be seen from many different angles. By extension, this provides organizations with several approaches to assess how valuable their members are individually and collectively. This can affect certain decisions, such as whether to promote them or give them a pay raise.
The thing is, a lot of the approaches or angles that are still in use today are woefully outdated and can hinder you from discovering the true value of your workers. Changing these perspectives can help you get a more realistic pulse on how important your people are as assets to your organization. And when you know how valuable they are and treat them accordingly, you’re more likely to retain them.
So what are these perspectives that you can change to better understand the value of your workers? Each week we will examine one of them and tell you all about how to turn these blind spots into vantage points.
FROM: Hobby
TO: Profession
Today’s workplaces are products of the march of civilization. The more we move forward, the more modern and diverse they become.
Workplaces now have space for roles that did not yet exist as late as a decade ago. These roles carry value for organizations through keeping a connection with the pulse of the times – what people today think, feel, believe, and do.
As a result, many organizations have begun to take advantage of these new ways of engaging with potential customers.
People today respond better to companies that go beyond business and push worthwhile advocacies. They feel that these companies are doing more than just trying to get their money, and are more willing to support their products or services.
Potential customers also respond very well to new media. The increased availability and accessibility of video as an engagement channel makes audiences feel that companies are being very transparent about what they do. The use of symbols, brands and powerful graphical imagery also makes companies seem like the real deal and a big deal.
Social media usage has been a significant advantage to both long-standing organizations and bold startups. Real-time customer engagement enables them to stay updated with public moods and hot trends. It also enables them to respond to concerns in an efficient and personalized manner.
Newly created roles for the workplace deal specifically with these (and many more) opportunities to increase an organization’s presence, influence, and success. And these roles and their assigned responsibilities all have one thing in common.
Two or more decades ago, they would have been considered hobbies or casual interests and not legitimate work.
And the most unfortunate reality is that there are organizations still stuck in this way of thinking.
It’s as if professionals with “contemporary competencies” still have to prove their worth to their organization with each project. Their place in the company’s present and future is always in question, and they are viewed as lesser professionals if at all.
This is an outdated way of thinking that discourages talented people from attempting to contribute anything. But such a mindset and attitude is addressed and adapted to the more modern demands of the economy, these professionals can bring out the best in their organizations and even become direct income generators.
We’ve seen how they rise above the new challenges of the 21st century. It’s time we recognize them for that and give them the consideration and respect they deserve as true professionals.