23 May #6 Offer The Intangibles

Earlier this year, Positive Alternative Radio (PAR) proudly announced that it had been certified as a
Best Christian Workplace by the Best Christian Workplaces Institute (BCWI). It is a high honor,
which is bestowed—or denied, based on the results of BCWI’s Engagement Survey.
Survey results are compiled from anonymous feedback submitted by the registered organization’s team members.

Here, we will look at the sixth highest ranking result—I would prefer to remain with my organization even if a comparable role at a higher pay level were available in another organization—and show you how to reflect those same positive values
within your own organization.

Dear Christian Radio,

PAR employees agreed they would rather stay with PAR than take a similar position elsewhere that paid them more. This response is one our organization is extremely proud to share. When team members feel this way, it can translate into less turnover and amazing cost savings for the company.

The feel-good moments you create for employees – also known as company culture – go far beyond salaries and benefits. It’s the feeling of belonging and purpose. It’s an employee believing they are making a difference.

When it comes to culture, PAR sees these five areas as highly important:

• Are we connecting every task, position, and person to our Mission?
• Do our teams dread Mondays or do they look forward to re-engaging after a weekend break?
• Is the work fun—even when it’s hard?
• Are we investing in the lives of our team members and their families?
• Is “Changing the World” something each person feels is happening?

   

In The Beginning…Matters!
Keeping a great team obviously starts with building a great team in the beginning. Key ingredients—gleaned from many great leadership authors and speakers—include:

• Assemble people that work well together.
• Ego must always take a backseat to teamwork.
• Likewise, skill takes a backseat to humble willingness.
• If you are in charge of hiring, by all means hire those you enjoy being around.

Are They Connected?
If your team fails to truly buy-in to your organization’s mission, they are not staying for the right reasons. To help with this, create ways that you can connect every team member to accomplishing the mission. Much like an org-chart, it will move the ball down the field by showing the connection. This is an important step and one to repeat again and again.

Are They Engaged?
When you walk into your building, is there anticipation among the staff? Is the mood one of gloom? Take your organization’s pulse. If you aren’t a very intuitive person, consider asking others who are intuitive for their opinions. Even things like decorations, lighting, air fresheners, and building repairs can go a long way toward improving work conditions.

Is Work Fun?
Break out of the predictability from time to time! Try holding your next staff meeting outside or move your meeting out of its formal conference space into a more personal gathering spot like the studio. These things can add up to the overall feeling that your organization is working to make things more interesting.

How can work — even hard work — be made enjoyable, fun, and full of surprises? Consider taking a day every few weeks to surprise the team with a fun activity, treat, or bonding time. We call this “Pop-Culture” around PAR, where ideas are acted upon to catch a movie together, get a milkshake, have a picnic, or serve at a local soup kitchen together.

Can It Be Too Fun?
So, what if you have a team with such passion for the mission that they never want to leave? We often find teams who want to remain engaged and track the station’s progress while on vacation—yes, even the Best Christian Workplace anonymous survey confirmed this!  At PAR, we encourage employees to live a full and balanced life. Rest, family time, and personal health are of great importance.  Proclaim this to your team often!

Culture Determines Retention
Building a great culture is key to keeping great talent on your team. Even if you were able to match the big compensation and benefits package from the radio station across town, you would still discover that your culture is a larger player than the best toys or biggest salaries anyone else could offer. You will have something that your employees value as priceless. To borrow from a common phrase, “equipment and salary will fade, but culture and appreciation will impress forever.” Changing the culture for the better is one of the first steps toward changing the world.

Dear Christian Radio…

1. Give meaning, purpose, and appreciation to each employee.
2. If there’s a feeling of drab in your building, spruce the place up! Let in some light! Create excitement about spreading the Gospel!
3. Hire people you enjoy being around. Bring people in who fit your culture. Likability matters; find people with the right temperament for your team.

ENCW –

Daniel Britt
Vice President of Culture Integration
Positive Alternative Radio

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