Tag: engagement

Employee Engagement and Pixie Dust (3-1-23)

Last week we kicked off a series of lessons I learned from the Disney Institute.  This week is about employee engagement and pixie dust.

During our session with the Disney Institute, we spent time talking about creating that Disney magic (more on that in future blogs) and how it requires buy-in and effort from employees at all levels of the organization.  One of my colleagues raised their hand and asked a question along the lines of this, “It seems that everyone across industries is struggling with having the right talent and things like quiet quitting and employee engagement.  I’d assume that you need to have engaged employees to create this Disney magic, so how does Disney handle challenges with employee engagement?”  The facilitator responded with, “That’s a good question.  The first thing to acknowledge is that everyone loses their pixie dust from time to time.  No one is 100% dedicated and on track all the time.  When someone loses their pixie dust, they need to pause to figure out what it is they need.  Also, it’s the job of their leader to step in to see what they need to get going again.  It’s not easy.  It requires intentional attention.”

How does this connect with anything?  While I’d like to think that I’m filled with magic on most days, I’d be lying if I told you that I come into work every single day on fire with purpose and passion.  I’d be lying if I told you that I was actively engaged every second of every single day over my 15-year career.  Sometimes, I lose my pixie dust.  Do you?  I’ve learned over time that it’s easy to beat yourself up when you lose your pixie dust, but it doesn’t help.  What has helped me is taking the time to figure out why my pixie dust is gone.  Maybe, I’m having a difficult time outside of work, and what I need is some grace and understanding.  Maybe, I’m dealing with a process that is sucking out my soul (sound familiar?), and I need leadership to help us alter or remove this process.  Maybe, I’m burned out, and I need to do something to help myself recharge.  Maybe, I’ve lost my connection with my purpose, and I need to find that again.  The bottom line is, that losing pixie dust doesn’t make you bad.  It means you’re human.  The best leaders I’ve ever worked for are the ones who understand this.  The best leaders I’ve ever worked for help me find my pixie dust when it’s missing.

The challenge: Do a check-in.  How are your pixie dust levels?  As a leader, what do your people need to help them find their pixie dust when it’s lost?

Have a jolly good day,

Andrew Embry

Will you Disappear or Show Up? (3-13-20)

Image result for bright spotHappy Friday,

I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting lately, and I’d like to share something with all of you.  Yesterday I was talking to someone about all of the crazy stuff going on with the Coronavirus, work, and life right now.  It brought me back to things I learned from a leader I worked with about how leaders act in times of change and the impact that has. 

We were in the beginning of a reorganization and this leader told me something along the lines of, “I’ve been through this a few times and I’ve seen how this will play out.  Sooner or later all of this will die down and we will move forward.  After all of this has settled, people won’t necessarily remember all of the details around these events, but they will remember who STEPPED UP and who DISAPPEARED when they were needed most.  Watch.  Some leaders will shrink in times like this, and they won’t realize it now but they will be hurting the trust they’ve built with others over time.  Once things get back to normal, those relationships will be damaged and need repairing.  Other leaders will step up in times like this.  While these leaders won’t be able to say with certainty what will happen, they will be able to SHOW with certainty that they care for the people around them.  Their relationships will grow stronger because of these events and NOT in spite of them.”

He was right about all of this, and when he said “leader” he didn’t mean someone with official authority.  He meant someone who could guide and influence others.  I watched some people disappear, and it caused our relationship and my trust in them to weaken.  Other people stepped up, and now I’d run through walls for them.  Over time there have been more reorganizations, big changes, and other events, and his wisdom runs true every single time. 

Right now is another one of those times.  Sooner or later we will all get through what is going on.  When we do, people will look back and remember whether or not YOU disappeared or showed up when you were needed.  The challenge: Be the person who shows up.  Be the person who shows you care and have that person’s back.  Do this in a way that’s natural to you.  Maybe it’s hosting conference calls.  Maybe it’s giving speeches.  Maybe it’s sending texts with memes and videos to keep everyone going.  Whatever it is, be the bright spot for others right now.  They need it.

I got a lot of love for you folks.  Be awesome.  Stay healthy and safe. 

Have a jolly good day,

Andrew Embry