GREAT LEADERS MULTIPLY VALUE FOR THEIR ORGANISATIONS AND COLLEAGUES BY BUILDING DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE TEAMS WHOSE OUTPUT IS MORE THAN THE SUM OF THEIR PARTS
Mark Watt Partner in Heidrick & Struggles ’ Johannesburg office And the numbers back this up . Leaders who prioritise culture-shaping outperform their counterparts , a 2021 Heidrick & Struggles study found , achieving a three-year compound annual growth rate ( CAGR ) in revenue more than double the rate of their peers ( 9.1 % compared with 4.4 %).
“ These leaders identified culture as one of the top three factors influencing their companies ’ financial outcomes and recognised the need to cultivate a culture that aligns with the overall strategic direction of the organisation ,” says Mark .
What a people-first culture looks like Putting people first is not about sleep pods , games rooms , or fancy coffee , Edward tells Business Chief – it ’ s about listening to employee needs , understanding their motivators and how to engage with them more effectively , and empowering them to make decisions on behalf of the company . It means prioritising employee growth and wellbeing , adds Neha , and involves putting in place practices , policies and benefits structured around driving inclusion and equity that are engineered to unleash employee potential .
Being truly people-first means that every interaction or touchpoint is an opportunity to enable the team , Neha says . For instance , when considering learning and development , opportunities are identified and offered not only on immediate job impact , but on career aspirations and potential . While in performance management , feedback is given on time to ensure relevance and practical inputs instead of simply being regarded as a tick in the box .
READ THE FULL STORY
businesschief . com 81