When Employees turn down opportunities.
Few weeks ago, the GMD of a certain organisation sent a memo to his close to 3000- strong staff an invitation to an “Accelerated Leadership Development Program”….. and those selected will “get a clear shot at becoming business unit heads” aka junior/middle management. (Ordinary shot though, not even guaranteed, lol). One would think at least one person would apply right? Nope. nobody applied. He resent it but still, nobody applied. Some of those at least interested do not qualify for his criteria and those who qualify are not interested. A lot of people say “I am fine where i am”.
This is the same organisation where less than 1% of employees responded to an employee feedback review. Obviously, something does not add up.
This Experience taught me a few things which I thought I would share:
No matter how strong-willed and persistent you are as a CEO, there are some things you cannot simply will into existence. Not everyone would bow to your will no matter how iron clad it is.
If you have a track-record of not treating employees well, don't expect they would rise to the occasion when you need them even if your entire business operation is about to go up in flames.
Notice how the statement is also silent on pay and perks? Not even a 10% increase? Employees can smell loopholes a mile away, they trust themselves (even when the trust is misplaced) far more than they will ever trust you as a business owner. Trust, like respect is earned not given or taken.
In your drive as a business owner, once you throw communication (especially when employees only hear from you or see you when you need something and/or are about to query/ fire someone) and community participation under the bus, get ready to get under the bus too. This is not the military where “divide and conquer” works. In reality, it never does.
In hindsight, Its not that hard to see why nobody applied.