How To Deal With Worker Dissatisfaction

Today’s workers seem really disengaged in the workplace. That manifests itself in poor customer service and employees who just don’t care. How do we fix that?

The Team Doc Says…

Throughout history, the working class has waged heroic struggles for better wages, human dignity, and a greater voice in the workplace. But for this generation, and much of today’s workforce, the historic labor complaints of long hours, unsafe conditions and low pay, have given way to frustration with glass-ceilings, poor leadership, lack of tolerance for self-expression and generally feeling undervalued for their contributions. This trend of “self” over “company” is catching traditional employers unprepared and ill-equipped to manage a often restless and frustrated workforce.

“We have undergone wholesale changes in a generation,” says Steven Vannoy, CEO of Pathways to Leadership Inc. and co-author of the book Stomp the Elephant in the Office: Put an End to the Toxic Workplace, Get More Done — and Be Excited About Work Again“While our parents and grandparents were the beneficiaries of the early-century labor struggles, many of them felt fortunate to have a good job and spent their careers working for the same employer. Today’s workers don’t have the same mentality and expect more from their chosen vocations.”

Surveys show that worker dissatisfaction in America is at record levels and increasing. So why are other countries not facing the same challenges of motivating and retaining both management and rank-and-file workers? “Just blame our culture,” says Craig Ross, Pathways President and co-author of Stomp the Elephant in the Office.

According to Ross, “Too many companies tout ‘their people’ as their greatest asset. But for the vast majority, their people are actually their greatest weakness. The problem,” Ross explains, “is that American workers bring phenomenal skills, experience, perspective and creativity to the workplace, but those qualities are rarely acknowledged or nurtured by managers. Employee frustration is bleeding over into their attitudes and actions in the workplace.”

“The American workplace is toxic and business leaders simply don’t get it,” offers Ross. “The human potential and creativity being lost everyday in America is staggering. Imagine if 1% of the ideas, improvements and solutions that are swimming in the minds of our workers were just acknowledged, considered and implemented. Our world would change in remarkable ways and America would gain a huge economic advantage. But it’s just not happening,” Ross laments.

He insists that, contrary to the assertions of frustrated employers, there is no such thing as a ‘bad worker’ and that everyone wants to be great. He says that true leadership is not about motivating workers, but about helping them to be great by nurturing their gifts. He further purports that the companies that find creative ways to involve their employees, and make them a part of decisions and solutions, will reap tremendous rewards. Those that don’t – simply won’t be able to compete.

What do you think? Leave me a comment.