they do and respects the commitment they bring to the
organization. When morale is strong, so is the company.
There are very few things more powerful, more productive,
more effective than a partnership of people committed to
a common purpose where they march together in unity
toward a clear vision that all are committed to, no matter
what their position is in the company, in order to achieve an
organization that is alive and well because of the morale
that connects the people.
LIVING PROOF:
I have a golf buddy who works for one of the Fortune 500
companies. He started with them right out of college and
has been with them for 26 years. Recently we were in the
Club House after a round of golf and I was sharing with entire division has changed. You can feel it! The energy,
him my idea for this article. the morale you spoke about, is gone. People show up to
He looked at me with this sad expression and said, “Let
work; they don’t come to work. There just isn’t the feeling
me give you a real life illustration. What you are talking
of respect and appreciation there once was. Know what?
about is my life.” There were a few moments of silence
I am beginning to think it is time for me to leave. I don’t
as he stared at the window and then, returned to looking
want to, but how can you support a company that sees its
at me.
people as a cost factor, not an investment in improving the
company? How can you support that?”
“Richard, I am as loyal as they come. Since the age of 22, I
have given them my heart and soul. You want to talk about
His question – “How Can You Support That?—is THE
a company person? You are looking at the real McCoy. I
question! The internal design of a company creates what
love my company and up to a year ago have been 100%
the company can deliver. As much as many may think you
supportive of what they do. Then, we got a new CEO and
can replace humans with technology, it can’t happen. The
boy, did things change in a hurry. It was made clear to all
greatest value a company has is its human capital! When
of us that our jobs were not secure. It was made clear that
that is bankrupt, the company becomes a cold environment
the focus was on the bottom line and if it didn’t improve,
where there is little commitment to quality; where there is
there would be some major changes.”
an exodus of those who are the mental and emotional
backbone of the organization, and a void of a spirit that
says through its behavior, “We care and are here to be the
Again, he paused as he just sat there and shook his best we can be.”
head.
How important is morale? Just look at what is happening
“Richard, we made an ungodly amount of profit last year. to companies today and you will see the answer. Isn’t it
Several of us got together and questioned our manager time we turn the light from a total bottom line stare to
about what was happening. We were told to just keep our reinvesting in the greatest of all assets – human capital?
heads down, our mouths shut and do our job. Doing our
job was what we always did. It is apparent that WE aren’t
as important as the bottom line. It is as if the new CEO
has to prove himself to the shareholders, even if it means For more information contact:
punishing those who make the bottom line happen. What
Richard Flint Seminars
kind of message does that send? What do you think that
has done to our spirit?”
11835 Canon Blvd., Suite C-105
Newport News, VA 23606
He looked me in the eyes with one of the saddest looks
1-800-368-8255 or (757) 873-7722
I have ever seen and said, “For the first time in 26 years
www.RichardFlint.com
I don’t feel like the company cares about me. I am just
a body to be used, not a person to be respected. Our
info@RichardFlint.com
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