{"id":2039,"date":"2012-05-28T05:18:08","date_gmt":"2012-05-28T11:18:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/corevalues.com\/?p=2039"},"modified":"2012-05-28T05:18:08","modified_gmt":"2012-05-28T11:18:08","slug":"business-leaders-could-learn-something-about-employee-engagement-from-the-military","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/corevalues.com\/dev\/2012\/05\/28\/business-leaders-could-learn-something-about-employee-engagement-from-the-military\/","title":{"rendered":"Business Leaders Could Learn Something About Employee Engagement From The Military"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Copyright TIGERS Success Series<\/p>\n

By Dianne Crampton<\/p>\n

And no\u2026 it\u2019s not what you are thinking when it comes to leadership style. Unfortunately over the years, many of us have come to view the military as an authoritative, hierarchal organization where Commanders and Generals belt out orders to soldiers on the front lines when nothing could be farther from the truth.<\/p>\n

In actuality, top ranking commanders engage in bottom \u2013 up communications from troops who are down in the trenches\u2026 where all the action is.\u00a0 Contrary to most organizations and businesses, these commanders rely heavily on the information that comes from the front line so they can perform strategic planning for successful missions.<\/p>\n

Soliciting ideas on the front line <\/strong><\/p>\n

According to Bing West, one of the nation’s foremost military analysts, General John Allen spends 30% of his time on the battlefield in Afghanistan.\u00a0 “I learn something every time I visit a line unit”, Allen says. “Truth be told, visiting troops in the field recharges my batteries.” Allen spends part of his time in the trenches with his troops, gathers information, and actively solicits their ideas.<\/p>\n

On the flip side, a recent study conducted by the Boston Research Group revealed that 97% of employees feel as though they are in a workplace with a top-down management chain of command versus bottom\u2013up.\u00a0 These employees seldom see or speak to \u201cSuite C\u201d executives and management teams, let alone work side by side with them. Despite the mountain of data and case studies on employee engagement<\/a>, there remains detachment and frankly\u2026disinterest from upper management. \u00a0<\/p>\n

Falling from Ivory Towers<\/strong><\/p>\n

More CEOs and key managers should take stock in how top military officials engage with troops, regardless of rank, and apply those same principles to employees. Engagement, communication, and getting down on the front lines from time to time should be a principal focus of upper management; otherwise, the C Suite execs may find themselves tumbling from their ivory towers.<\/p>\n

If organizational leaders take away one lesson from the military, it would be to listen to the employees who take the disgruntled phone calls, calm irate customers, assemble and package product, order inventory, etc. These employees are the eyes, ears, spokespersons, and heart and soul of all organizations. Where else can leaders glean valuable information on their company if not from these hardworking individuals that fill the orders and keep business rolling along day after day?<\/p>\n

To good to get a little dirty?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Unfortunately, there is a distinct separation between management and employees and most business leaders won\u2019t roll up their sleeves or get a little dirty. Without ever taking an occasional customer call, following the order process from start to finish, or gathering information from front line employees, how does management expect to know what works and what doesn\u2019t within their organization?\u00a0<\/p>\n

It takes a very engaged leadership team that actively seeks out ideas, input, and maintains open communication from employees.\u00a0 Here are several reasons for leaders to dedicate the time and energy to get in the \u201cline of fire\u201d with their employees:<\/p>\n