Performance Matters - The Healthy, High-Performing Cultures Issue - 5

PERFORMANCE MATTERS / PG 5
Six core needs of healthy,
high-performing organizations
Organizations are living and dynamic systems; being perfectly in balance
or static is not the goal. Thriving organizations consistently attend to
six core needs, gauge how they're doing in those areas, and actively take
steps to balance them.
Capability
The knowledge, skills, and expertise
required to perform the necessary work
Organizations with healthy capability not only have the skills and expertise needed;
they also productively apply and appropriately staff their talent through well-designed
roles, structures, and work processes.
Purpose
A collective sense that we're doing meaningful work
If your organization has a strong sense of purpose, you'll know it because you'll feel
it. Employees believe their work is meaningful and take pride in their organization.
They believe the organization contributes to something greater than itself and makes
a positive difference in peoples' lives.
This sense of purpose isn't just a nice-to-have. Research shows that a strong mission
and sense of collective purpose (beyond maximizing profits) contributes to many things
leaders care about-including increased financial performance, employee engagement,
retention, and a sense of fulfillment among employees.1
Connection
Alignment and connectivity among people,
values, behaviors, and organizational systems
We know from research that connection and alignment are crucial for health and
organizational performance.2
An organization with high degrees of connection
likely experiences a shared and cohesive identity as well as a sense of belonging
and community among employees.
An organization strong in connection is people centered, welcoming, and inclusive,
with a focus on meaningful and authentic relationships. When there's alignment,
your policies, practices, and structures are congruent with stated beliefs and values.
Leaders truly " walk the talk " and demonstrate the mindsets and behaviors that are
desired and expected.
1 A Corporate Purpose as an Antecedent to Employee Motivation and Work Engagement, van Tuin et al., 2020
2 Social: Why Our Brains Are Wired to Connect, Matthew D. Lieberman, 2013
Capability can manifest in many ways-such as strong leadership that guides
and inspires, as well as effective collaboration that harnesses the power of
multidisciplinary perspectives. While much of an organization's capability rests
within its internal talent, healthy and high-performing organizations are also adept
at recognizing when external expertise or business partnerships are needed.
Resources
The tools, training, feedback, and other supports
that people need to do their best work
When your organization is fully resourced, employees feel supported, well-equipped,
and nurtured. You'll see indicators such as availability and investment of financial
resources; human-centered tools and technology that support productive work; and
training and development opportunities that equip employees with the know-how to
do their best work.
A well-resourced organization also meets employees' information needs by providing
sufficient and clear communications around vision, direction, processes, and
expectations. Employees receive sufficient guidance and feedback to do their best
work, as well as encouragement and space for rest, well-being, and renewal of energy.
CONTINUED on next page

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7537473/ https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/212681/social-by-matthew-d-lieberman/

Performance Matters - The Healthy, High-Performing Cultures Issue

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