It’s always stuck with me, even years later, a Forbes report on the culture of giving back – titled: “Worker Passion: How A Culture Of Giving Back Inspires Something Better Than Engagement”. It looked at the qualities of a good company; a company that knows its staff well and understands how to reward them. It talks about the company’s relationship with customers, and how a company should constantly be searching for ways to improve. It really resonated with me. I still look back at it now from time-to-time.
A culture of ‘giving back’ is not just one of the most inspiring and effective ways of engaging employees; it offers something even better than engagement: people passion. Involving colleagues in the selection of charity beneficiaries can really drive engagement and embed that sense of passion. In return, it motivates and stimulates staff to exceed expectations.
Passion is key to success. Passion to perform better, to solve challenges, to build and support customers.
I particularly liked the report’s focus on the mindset of the winner. John Hagel, Management Consultant, Deloitte & Touche, said:
“People with the passion of the explorer are never satisfied or happy with what they have accomplished.
“What excites them is the next challenge on the horizon – it’s an opportunity to achieve more of their potential and take their impact in the domain to the next level. They are constantly seeking out those challenges and connecting with anyone who can help them address the challenge… What drives passionate people is the opportunity to do better – constantly.”
Years ago, I recall listening to motivational speaker Marcus Child talk about how Bear Grylls had a picture of Everest at the foot of his hospital bed while recovering from three broken vertebrae in a parachuting accident. It became a constant focal point and inspiration to achieve his childhood dream of making the summit. After recovering, he went on to become one of the youngest people ever to achieve that feat. The focal point he could visualise played its part in his success.
Since being at Northern Gas and Power – the UK arm of Global Procurement Group – I can safely say this desire to attain the very highest standards is the company’s (and its leaders’) raison d’etre. A pursuit of improvement and a continuous desire to seek ways of doing and making things better, drives standards constantly. It is an environment which creates opportunities for its people through a healthy, competitive spirit.
This is what successful businesses and leaders do to grow their business. They embed the principles of a winning mentality. To paraphrase James Kerr in his leadership manifesto – ‘Legacy’: Leaders inspire leaders.
So, as we move into 2021, with all the adversity of the past year, let’s not lose sight of our goals; professional and personal.
Good luck with your endeavours. Don’t give up on your goal! And if you need a new environment to stimulate that success, then get looking… fast!
David Bootle, Global Head of Corporate Marketing, Northern Gas and Power - part of of Global Procurement Group
