Page 52 - Anne Bruce - Building A HIgh Morale Workplace (2002)

32 Building a High Morale Workplace

the Internet, the real value lies in the interaction among people
who rarely see each other. Get-togethers like this become the
social glue of global organizations. And managers worldwide

attest to the power of the human connection.

What Managers Have to Say

One manager from Geneva says,
We’ve been holding such events for our employees once a

year for the past three years now. And over time we’ve
seen the benefits mount. At some point during the get-
together, a critical mass of connection takes place
between everyone and you can just see it creating high
employee morale and better, stronger networking with one
another. That’s something you just can’t get in cyber-
space alone.

If bringing people together from all parts of the world isn’t
feasible, then make your human connection felt via the Internet,

as one woman from New York describes:
Because I have a strong need to be connected to the
organization and my people, I always let people know

what’s on my mind. I write a detailed e-mail to all of my
employees twice a month. I let them know how I’m feeling
about how the company is doing, or I’ll discuss a particu-
lar subject that’s on everyone’s minds. I may offer my
perspective on a new business strategy we’re considering

implementing, or a new business model for our Southeast
Asia office. My twice-monthly e-mail correspondence has
become the glue that binds me closely to my people and
a great way for me to help charge people up when I can’t
be right there with them.

The Americanization of Globalization

While you’re still grappling with the promise and perils of glob-
alization and what it requires of you as a leader of high morale
and future thinking, I’ll throw in another curve ball—the
Americanization of globalization.