Dreams can come true, but there is a secret. They’re realized through the magic of persistence, determination, commitment, passion, practice, focus and hard work. They happen a step at a time, manifested over years, not weeks.–Elbert Hubbard
Any idea if your company made Fortune Magazine’s list of the best 100 companies to work for? Their March 2020 issue features “The Best In The Business” where they not only list the top 100 companies, but also provide some common themes as to why they were selected:
1. 37% of “the best” had a workforce greater than 50% female
2. 49% was the average millennial population
3. 2% was the Gen Z population
4. 12% pay 100% of healthcare benefits for full time employees
5. 44% offer onsite medical care
6. 78% provide subsidized access to fitness facilities
7. Almost all provide resources to help employees “learn and grow”
8. 84% offer tuition reimbursement
9. Some have Leadership Academies that:
· develop future managers
· focus on talent retention
· develop “high potentials” for all levels
· explore and identify core values and translate them into impactful leadership skills
· understand diverse views and have a less polarizing work culture
A new focus on staying “psychologically healthy” is growing. Some options include depression and anxiety screening, individual and family counseling, mediation and yoga, and even on-campus treatment centers.
And, the biggest commonality? Employees want leaders who will listen. Wegman’s has been on Fortune’s list for 23 years and have been identified as the best of best with their “Ask Bob” initiative. This program is an open line of communication between the 50,000 employees and the Senior Vice President of Operations, Bob Farr. Since 2002 Farr has reviewed and personalized responses to more than 16,000 messages.
As leaders, we likely can not address all the key points listed but we can help our staff with what we call “learn-grow-transform”. We CAN help individuals and teams strengthen their skills. We CAN work to create a better functioning work culture. We CAN practice listening more. We CAN link core company values with desired skills. We CAN address divisive actions and behaviors.
Did your company make the top 100 list? What change(s) would make your company become one of “the best”?
I do the very best I know how – the very best I can; and I mean to keep on doing so until the end.–Abraham Lincoln