Fulfilling Mutual Expectations - Key to Organization Employee Synergy

An organization is but a vector sum of its employees. It is their collective contribution that determines the organization’s performance. Strategy, technology, processes and infrastructure are enablers for their performance. But it is the employees who unlock the real value of these enablers.

Simultaneously, an employee also needs the organization to realize, enhance and utilize his full potential and fulfill his dreams. A capable and committed employee working in an enabling atmosphere produces best results for self and also for the organization.

To fulfill its vision, mission and objectives, an organization expects its employees to think and act in a particular way. Likewise, an employee also has his own list of expectations from the organization.

Let us first look at the employees’ expectations from the organization.

The first requirement, naturally, is money. That is the basic reason why almost all of us work except for very few driven by some greater cause. But, how much money is right money? The remuneration must commensurate with the contribution an employee makes to the organization’s overall performance.

Second requirement would thus be a fair opportunity to make contribution irrespective of age, gender, physique, colour, religion, caste, creed or political beliefs. Personal proximity to people in authority or sycophancy should not decide the opportunities, responsibilities or challenges.

The contribution must be duly recognized and rewarded. It can be in form of open verbal appreciation, commendation letter, certificate or citation, monetary benefit, additional facilities, more challenging assignments, higher responsibility, promotion etc.

It is an employee’s right to have clear communication about his exact role, responsibility, authority and expectations from him. Only then he can correctly plan how to deliver his performance. In case he is found lacking on that front, it is a logical expectation that he will be given timely feedback. If the under-performance is due to his attitude or competence, the employee and the organization must jointly work to overcome the lacunae.

Growth is one of the important requirements of any individual. Growth in competence, responsibility, authority and benefits is what drives most of the employees. I have read one statement in many novels, “There is more where this comes from”. A future more exciting than the present is what keeps an employee attached & committed to the organization.

Every employee wants to be respected as an individual and as a professional. Dignity and pride is a prized possession of every individual. People offer their time and talent in lieu of employment and not their self respect. Any direct or indirect assault on that can be extremely de-motivating or can create unrest and rebellion.

Most people derive their social status and self esteem from their work and position held therein. I am yet to see anyone having a visiting card mentioning his family, interests, contribution to society, wealth etc. It is always one’s work & position that is mentioned therein. I have seen many people rejecting a job offer, in spite of better salary and role because of the less attractive designation. Some organizations use this by giving fancy designations to very junior people and thus creating an exit barrier. Seating arrangement, size of cubicle or cabin, access to executive dining halls, perks and entitlements etc. contribute to this status.

For people who love travel, having a job that involves national or international travel is a great opportunity to fulfill this interest. In last 10 years or so, I have visited so many places in India and some abroad which I could have never even imagined in my earlier job. It is definitely difficult, if not impossible, to see so many places on own accord. Seeing new places, meeting new people and understanding new cultures has its own excitement. It also adds a lot to self confidence.

One more expectation that employees have from the organization is care and support during emergencies. Accidents, illness, bereavements, calamities etc. are occasions when a person feels distraught and finds it difficult to handle on his own, alone. With more and more people taking up jobs far away from home town, they are frequently dependent upon the organizational support to meet these challenges at least till their personal reinforcements arrive. Sometimes the troubles extend over a period of time and the employees are not able to concentrate or contribute to the fullest extent. During this period, the organization has to be understanding and accommodative.

I have been lucky to work in a few organizations that take good care of their employees and take keen interest in their complete development.

It is quite natural that organizations also have a similar list of expectations from the employees.

An organization expects the employee to take complete ownership of the organizational goals and contribute with full commitment & diligence in his assigned area of responsibility.

An employee having ownership is expected to demonstrate a vision for self and for the organization. Their thinking and actions must be aligned with the organization’s mission and objectives. The employee is expected to be result oriented and not merely process or activity driven.

The employees must have smart trust based relationships and collaborate among themselves. They should be proactive in their actions to fulfill their roles and responsibilities and not always depend upon instructions and guidance.

An organization grows when its employees contribute innovative and creative ideas to break new grounds, increase productivity and improve efficiency. An employee should not impose self inflicted limits. They should be willing and able to contribute ideas and extend support in areas beyond their assigned responsibility.

An organization expects the employees to dream big and expect more but in return of real contribution. The employee should be willing to consciously explore areas of enhancement and improvement and learn continuously. People can not expect better results and growth for the same performance as earlier. In the fiercely competitive market, the organizations and in turn its employees, must continuously and relentlessly reinvent themselves. It involves de-learning, relearning and new learning.

An organization expects its employees to have high pride in self, his work and the organization. It is the pride that enables employees to tap in to internal reserves and stretch beyond imagination to create miracles.

The organization and employees, both must continuously strive to express, understand and fulfill the expectations. It is the consistent and sustained fulfillment of mutual expectations that creates the synergy between them. This synergy in turn produces excellent results.