Have you ever heard the saying “our employees are our greatest asset?”

Of course you have.  The saying is so ubiquitous, you’d have to be pretty sheltered to have never heard this.  In fact, it’s hard to find a corporate website that doesn’t include something declaring the importance of people to their business.  “Employees are our greatest asset” is frequently followed by clarifying statements, such as

• “Our ability to deliver on our strategy is dependent upon our employees — they are our single greatest asset.”
• “Our business success depends on the quality of our employees.”
• “Our employees are our greatest asset and key to our continuing success.”

So … do you believe it?

I’m sure that you do.  It’s hard to argue in this service economy, knowledge worker world we live in that employees don’t make a difference.  And I have yet to meet a successful leader who doesn’t value the contribution of his/her employees.  It’s like Jim Collins says in his best selling book “Good to Great,” it’s all about “getting the right people on the bus.”

Questar’s research shows that employees are contributing, and they too understand the contribution they make.  Yet while more than 80% of all employees say they know how their job contributes to the company achieving its business goals, only about half (56%) say they feel valued as an employee of their company.  When we asked employees how they would like to be recognized, many say pay.  But just as many reply that a simple “thank you” would be nice.  Comments like these are common:

• “Sometimes just a positive comment goes a long way.  I don’t necessarily need to be put on a pedestal every time I do a good job, but it is always nice to be recognized for doing a job well done.”
• “Would be nice to be told you are doing a good job.  We never hear that – just when things go wrong.”
• “Either a raise or a bonus would be nice, but mostly I would prefer my employer tell me I’ve done a good job.”

As the year closes, take some time to reflect on your employees and their contributions.  Set aside time to talk with employees about their accomplishments, gifts, and contributions – now and throughout 2010.  I know you know the impact that they have – but do your employees know that you know?

Anna Erickson Ph. D. | Director, Consulting Services