Every manager is obligated to keep certain promises to his/her staff:
- a safe workplace
- fair compensation
- opportunities for professional growth
- a fertile, healthy environment
- respect for their skills and talents
- an investment in the person
On the other hand, every employee is obligated to keep certain promises to their employers:
- dependability
- an honest day’s work
- respect for customers, coworkers, authority, policies and procedures
- a commitment to solve problems
- dedication to the success of the company
- a sincere effort to help their manager reach/exceed their goals
Are your staff's promises being kept? If not, is it because yours are not being kept?
Empowered managers know their promises have to be kept first and are unconditional. They are not contingent upon the staff keeping their promises first. It's not a barter, trade, negotiation or deal. The promises that come with employment are never withdrawn, never withheld, never earned. They are the unconditional gifts of employment. Your job as an Empowered Manager is to recruit, hire and grow a staff that feels the same way about their promises.
Until that happens, your workplace will remain ordinary.
But when that happens, it will become exactly what you and your staff deserve out of employment: promises kept.