Everyone Works for Themselves

As I was reading/listening to some of Daniel Ariely's great work I was reminded of something.

Everyone Works for Themselves

Regardless of how much you pay someone or have bonuses and perks in place, everyone works for themselves. They may choose to collect a paycheck from you each week, but in a world of increasing options for our employees or teammates, it is worth remembering that they can do that in many places.

And in fact, they will only do it with you, to the extent that they want to.

Providing a "good" paycheck for your team is now just table stakes.

Simple things like do they like and more importantly trust their manager or supervisor really matter.

Things like acknowledgment and culture continue to top the list of why people stay at their job.

If you have read all the books attended all the conferences and say all the right things but your actions don't back it up...you could be in trouble.

If your actions make it seem that you believe all employees are interchangeable...you could be in trouble.

If you still manage by command control...you could be in trouble.

The way you speak to people matters.

Of course, the secret that the great leaders have always known...these things have always mattered.