Google’s motto is “Do no Evil.” They probably decided on this because of all the back stabbing and money grabbing in today’s corporate environment. They wanted to send a statement out to the public that they are there to help them connect with the information they need, but they aren’t going to do it if it causes people harm.
They believe in using as few natural resources as possible to provide their servers with energy and their employees with great work. They have one of the best recycling programs and solar panel infrastructures at their facilities. People want to work for a company that considers the future health of the earth, especially forward thinking employees that work at Google.
What can you do to connect with your employees’ concerns?
Ask your employees what they care about. It’s as simple as that.
If they are worried about environmental issues then plan for the company to take an afternoon off and help plant trees at a local park. When you do things like this don’t be afraid to get some PR out of it. You want the community to know that you care about the earth too.
If they are worried about their healthcare then create a small team with the HR manager as the lead. Have them research other healthcare plans and see how much money they might save if the company would switch to another carrier. Once they reach that allotted time they must present their information to management.
Your employees are unique and have many ideas that they would love to share if you only ask.
If you want to get a few more ideas that might help your company succeed check out – Creating a Goal Post Business.
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I love Google.
I love their product and I love their philosophy.
Too bad we have so few companies that have similar views on business.
I can't wait until I can hire some employees. I've worked for some companies, and I've always been chomping at the bit to be treated as a real asset to the company, instead of a trained monkey who is good for labor and nothing else.
I think that including employees in these kind of details is one the best things a company can do. It does wonder for morale when people feel like they are valuable!
Hi Karl
What a wonderful philosophy. It's like that which psychologists follow: Do no harm.
I think it is a good idea to get your employees to decide what they want. Our company is involved in charity work, but I think that it is a select few who decide on where and what. It would be great, and there would be much more involvement and enthusiasm, if we were given options.
Juliet
Hi Karl,
The biggest thing I take from this is the importance of asking. It can become easy to do - at a corporate level, at a departmental level, at a supervisory level - to do, and not ask. And not find out what it is that the 'front line' is concerned about. What matters to those who spend 40 or more hours of their precious time 'there'. Ask.
And the thing is, I don't see this limited to employee/employer relationships either. It can apply at home, in small business, in client/company relationships, etc, etc.
Sometimes all it takes is asking a question, and then really listening to the answers.
Thanks Karl, for this reminder. It's easy to fall into the trap of just 'doing'.
I agree with Lance. Asking truly is the key. So often we just expect, it seems to me, without asking. In so many areas of our life! People can't read minds, and doesn't the saying go "the squeaky wheel gets the grease". Sometimes it's a matter of speaking up (respectfully, of course!) and offering a win-win.
I don't have any employees, but I use my wife and family as a guidepost. If I find that I am not inspiring, then I need to re-evaluate my approach. A life uninspired is not worth living and inspiring myself and others is a true passion of mine.
Luckily, I've had enough bosses to understand what not to do 🙂
Great point on inspiration.
I find the key is connecting to values, both your own and others. I also find passion is contagious.
Hi BOH, more companies need to learn from Google's greatness.
Hi Trey, me too. When you do hire employees let me know if you need any help creating a reward program - letting them know you care is vital to your success.
Hi Lance, a simple question like "how would you improve this?" can who an employee that you value their input and want them to help improve the company. A lot of owners and managers are doers instead of leaders. It's not easy to lead, but a little reading and research goes a long way.
Hi Stacey, letting people know that you think without them asking is always a good way to get people to take notice. It's all about picking the right moments and going for it.
Hi Nathan, getting other people's opinions is key to staying on track. We can't see it all and we just need to ask them to get some help.
Hi J.D., values in every organization is the driver of where the company is going. Without solid values decisions can get confusing.
Hi Juliet, getting everyone involved and engaged can do wonders for happiness and the bottom line.
I love "Do no evil." I find that I do my best work when I take it a step further, and make my work decisions based on the goal of doing good. What would be best for the people I'm serving? When I put that ahead of what would be easiest for me, I'm usually satisfied with the results.
Hi Sara, that's a great way of looking at it. You pull out the selfish nature of the goal and use someone else as a guide post. You can see this in your blog. You can see that you really care.
Hi Karl: I think that "do all the good that you can" is a better motto than "do no evil". Same basic sentiment, but framed in the positive. I do appreciate the need for a motto, or a mantra as Guy Kawasaki would say. I'm working on one for my blog 🙂