We at VIM Executive Coaching have always promised ourselves that we should compile a list of aphorisms and delectable cliches that executive leaders have used as fallbacks in talks with those in their employ. Trite expressions and other pieces of wisdom have come back to haunt many an executive and that will be our topic with this most.
Employees finding the exits
In this day of ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance), a set of principles governing (mostly) the non-financial factors that influence organizations, key managers are still exiting organizations in droves. What began during the pandemic has persisted. Employees seek meaning and accountability; what used to be unvoiced is now strongly voiced. And, it isn’t only a function of salary or benefits but of a commitment to the environment, of equity and inclusion, of honesty and integrity.
Going back to rather arrogant phrases such as “Let me be completely truthful with you,” and other ditties, what employees have finally been voicing and certainly thinking is, “You mean you haven’t been truthful to me to this point?”
And, thinking even more pointedly, “You want to talk about being truthful boss? What about the policies the leadership of this company have been violating while the rest of us would be let go for the same offenses?”
While these thoughts and statements may sound far-fetched, they are tepid compared with some of the leadership attitudes we have been hearing in confidence. For it is one thing when an organization poses inviolate principles on a code of ethics or in an ESG statement, but it is quite another thing when the executive leadership of a corporation backs it up.
No naivete here
Sadly, the leadership of many organizations has been content to get-by on philosophy, words and phrases that look good on paper or online, but they are inconsistently applied. Employees are hardly naïve, and whether in-person or virtual, news travels quickly and ultimately, many valued employees exit soon after.
Without breaking confidences, VIM Executive Coaching has been recently made aware of a major energy company that has violated environmental laws as well as diversity and inclusion; a healthcare organization violating patient rights; the CEO of a major fast-food organization who was found to be engaged in harassment and a multi-national bank forcing managers to behave unethically.
The net result of the above actions, are employees leaving rather than being subjected to the ongoing hypocrisies and unethical behaviors. In short, executive leaders believing employees are naïve as to a lack of awareness and responsibility within their companies are compounding their unethical actions.
Be mindful
As mentioned above, in 2022, where employees have many more options to stay or leave organizations, expressions such as “Let me be completely truthful with you,” are more reactive than responsive. Unfortunately, if employees are not feeling welcomed, they will no longer stay.
This is why VIM Executive Coaching stresses mindfulness and cultivating a sense of mindfulness and response to employees rather than arrogant reaction and dismissal. Mindfulness must come from the top down, with authenticity and not executive privilege and/or nepotism ruling the day.
“Being truthful” should be a given in an organization where executive leaders are mindful, actively listen and act authentically.