While spending a week in southern California at the 11th Annual Recognition Professionals International Conference, I learned so much about the correlation between employee engagement and a company's financial performance.  It's obvious to me that improving leadership habits is one of the most productive and profitable things a company can do.  Those organizations that benefit from discretionary effort of an engaged workforce consistently outperform their competition!

THE BUSINESS CASE

• 70%-80% of the top 10 "Most Admired Companies" (Fortune Magazine) are also known as the best places to work.
• 70%-80% of the top 10 companies generating the most sharholder wealth (MVA-EVA Dimensions LLC) are also known as the best places to work.
• In privately funded research, 6 "Contented Cow Companies" outgrew and out-earned direct competitiors by substantial margins over a 15-year period.
• Putting PEOPLE FIRST will put your company first in employee engagement and profitablity!

WHAT YOUR PEOPLE WANT

1. The opportunity to do their best work
2. Trustful environment
3. High standards
4. Clear purpose and direction
5. Competent, authentic leadership
6. Balanced "worth-its"
7. Level playing field
8. Internal processes that foster pride and winning results

GREAT LEADERS DO 4 THINGS EXTREMELY WELL

1. They are optimists
2. They get people committed
3. They enable people to do their best work
4. They care!

IF YOU WANT THE BENEFIT OF A PERSON'S BEST EFFORT

• Care more than others think is wise
• Risk more than others think is safe
• Dream more than others think is practical
• Expect more than others think is possible

Keeeping employees satisfied and engaged is worth it!  Your company can outperform your competitors by more than 14% (Russell Investment Group/Great Places to Work Institute) and reduce your cost of lost productivity.  Disengaged employees cost the US Economy about $300 billion every year! (Saratoga Institute, Disengagement Study)