Keep People Strategy Simple

I've heightened networking this year, talking to consultants, people managers and executives; leaders with all perspectives on organizations. I love to ask if they find people are happy and engaged. Also, I read job descriptions for HR roles as it's descriptive of strategies organizations think will equalize this happiness + engagement equation.

What I come back to is this:

Keep people strategy simple.

Hire the right people. Demand authentic, bold leaders. Do good work.

Nothing is more important than hiring the right person. Hire a person who can do the job and is a value-add; an add to the good work and to your culture. With this you cement a foundation on which everything else is built.

Demand more from your leaders. From nascent, shiny managers to the top-gun, your people leaders must show up everyday as themselves and genuinely know and champion their people. Every single day. And be bold with their ideas and actions. Questioning if this is possible? Go back to hire the right person (leader).

Do good work. Make it meaningful. Let your people do the work they are there for. Let the work teach them and push them a little out of their comfort zone. Win good work that is in line with your purpose & strategy. Let this work inspire more good work.

Deloitte shared this engagement table, which reinforces a focus on simplicity. If you work through Deloitte's five components, you can boil all five under Leaders and Good Work.

Remember though - it all starts with getting the right people.

I consult with organizations and coach leaders to focus on increasing authentic leadership and get back to simple people strategies.

#keepitsimple #leaders #talent #goodwork