Page 162 - How America's Best Places to Work Inspire Extra Effort in Extraordinary Times

The Power of “We” to Magnify Engagement C149

: “The reason this company is : “I do feel that there are some
so excellent is not the benefits employees that don’t give their
or pay. It’s the OUTSTANDING 100% to the company. If everyone
coworkers upon whom I can de- gave their all, this company would
pend to take full responsibility for be way ahead of the game.”
anything put in front of them.”

Collaboration Lack of Collaboration
: “This has been the best place I have : “Basically a good place to work,
ever worked, and mainly it is due but communication is horrible.
to my wonderful coworkers. My Nobody ever checks with others
coworkers support each other and who may be working on a project,
collaborate interdisciplinarily.” so there’s lots of redundancy and
: “I love my team and my manager! lack of coordination.”
We all work so well together. I : “I have noticed a change in work-
can’t wait to come to work in the ing as a team; some individuals
morning.” just do what they want regardless
: “I have seen many other busi- of how it affects others.”
nesses where employees are : “My coworkers are very negative.
not happy. They never exchange Most of them want to do a good job,
pleasantries during the day, and I but there is little encouragement
feel that is important to everyone from management or a consistent
getting along and wanting to be message about expectations . . . no
there. A person from across the clear procedures or initial job train-
hall said to me one day, ‘You all ing. So, right from the beginning you
get along so well. No one here feel like you are on your own. . . .
(meaning their office) talks to No one knows what anyone else
one another!’ That made such an does. . . . There is no real team
impression on me about how well feeling here. . . . Some interactions
we all respect one another and have just become really unpleas-
enjoy being with one another.” ant, and I don’t have any interest
in building relationships with my
coworkers now.”

We had no trouble finding survey comments giving voice to these
three themes. The comments capture the good, bad, and ugly of team
dynamics that unpredictably occur when we hire and mix employees
together. With some teams there is simply a serendipitous magic and
team chemistry that develops. In other cases the blend of personalities