Several years ago, I read the story of a company owner who, after listening to his employees needs, promised his employees that he would get them the best insurance benefits possible. The company had budgeted a certain amount of money in expectation of health insurance costs. When the decisions were made, and the insurance plan selected, the company had saved a considerable amount of money. This is where character integrity of the owner comes in. He could have said, “We saved the money, we’ll put it into the bottom line for profits,” therewith lining his own pockets. But this is not what the business owner chose to do.
Instead, he decided this amount of money was budgeted for benefits and it would be used for benefits. The company placed all of the money saved from the insurance purchase, into a fund for employee retirement benefits. Of course, when this was revealed to the employees, they were ecstatic. Employee morale soared. And just as important, at least three other benefits were recognized.
The business owner’s integrity was elevated among the employees. All employees understood their boss could be trusted to do what he said he would do. He had promised to get them the best insurance he could, and he did. In addition, he did it at a lower than expected cost. Trust is critical in any relationship.
Second, the employees received a bonus benefit that was totally unexpected, in their retirement. While the owner could have placed the saved money in the profit column for his own benefit, he did not. Instead, I believe he did what many businesses would not, he gave it in to his employees by placing it in their retirement funding. Taking care of your employees/volunteers is critical to high morale and improved productivity as well as retaining employees/volunteers.
Third, the employees were comforted to know they did not have to have representation in the room for every decision concerning their well-being. It is always good to get input from all levels of leadership, employees, and volunteers of your organization. However, when you build trust within the organization, people understand being outside the room does not mean their concerns are not being listened to and addressed. When trust is this strong in any organization or relationship, productivity will certainly soar.
Dr. Henry Cloud says, “If all companies (organizations, churches) were run like this, labor dispute might be an oxymoron.” Wouldn’t that be a dream world! Build trust in all your relationships, listen to the voice of others, keep your word, and remember, it is not all about the bottom line. Building trust is building Integrity!
George Yates is an Organizational Health Strategist and coach, assisting churches, organizations, and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life.