You Can’t Threaten People to Be Happy
Posted on Tuesday, November 11, 2008 by Frank RocheI was just talking to someone who was telling me about the culture in her company, where people are being called in to “talk” about their attitudes. They’re being warned that if morale doesn’t increase, and if their griping doesn’t end, there will be repercussions. I couldn’t make this up.
Yeah, you know what works? Telling people to be happy while the friggin company is falling to pieces. That always works…just about as well a telling your teenager to stay in for an evening of family conversation.
Did I mention what group of managers was doing that little “Don’t gripe, be happy” thing? You know it already. HR. Yep, human resources. (Don’t even get me going on what requirements there are to be in HR…like maybe some perspective or even a class on human motivation. Call me crazy.)
HR folks…people are scared. They’re gonna talk and they’re gonna gossip. No matter how much you tell them to stop it you won’t be successful. Know what does work, though? Making your workplace successful and a place where people want to talk about what needs to be done and how you’re gonna make lemonade out of the lemons given to us in this economy.
lruettimann
Nov 11th, 2008
YOU BETTER BE HAPPY BECAUSE YOUR JOB DEPENDS ON IT.
Yikes, this market is so weird and causing people to behave like animals. Who's leading, these days? Not HR.
Ron Ulrici
Nov 12th, 2008
You better change your attitude about this, Frank! (just kidding).
I used to have a boss that told his staff how to feel all the time – my mother did the same thing when I was a kid. Today, I own my feelings; I just don't share them when I'm feeling down especially in the workplace.
I also choose to be positive because there is always a pony in that manure pile.
rick
Nov 12th, 2008
I agree that the example you gave borders on the insane–or merely stupid. I do however believe that aside from the masses, a company should expect its leaders to speak and act professionally during difficult times. Too often, I see leaders griping in front of the people they are supposed to be setting an example for.
I do not mean that they should freeze a stupid smile on their faces while the company is going through hard times. I do mean that they can share their experiences about having gone through other economic downturns, try to get people to understand and focus on what will add value during this period, what to do and how to act differently than during the boom times, etc.
I will make fun of some of the more stupid cost cutting policies my company has implemented but in the same moment help those newer in the workforce to understand that doing some of these things is how companies survive when sales and profits are hard to find.
Companies can expect, and should demand, leadership from its leaders. They should not demand happiness from its workforce.
Frank
Nov 13th, 2008
Laurie, I wish I had written that as the headline. Excellent.
Frank
Nov 13th, 2008
Rick, you're right, I do think there needs to be an expectation of professionalism. Your concluding sentence…brilliance. I'm going to quote you on that. Really brilliant.
Frank
Nov 13th, 2008
Positive works…we're feeling it in our shop…and I think it's contagious. Threatening in happiness…I don't think that ever worked, except in the Court of Louis XIV.
rick
Nov 13th, 2008
We split proceeds from the bumper stickers. Right?
John H.
Nov 14th, 2008
Worked for Vince Lombardi – If you are not fired with enthusiasm, you will be fired with enthusiasm.
Frank
Nov 14th, 2008
John, I loved that quote when you first told me it. It's great. Apropos.
Chris Young
Nov 16th, 2008
Great post Frank – thanks for sharing!
Your story brings up some important issues when it comes to employee morale — the most important I feel is how HR and leaders in general look at morale and employee engagement from the wrong perspective. These aren't issues that can be “fixed” with a training program or outright threats to an employee's job security. There simply isn't an on/off switch when it comes to employee morale and realizing this is the first step in the right direction.
I have featured your post in my weekly Rainmaker 'Fab Five' blog picks of the week which can be found here: http://www.maximizepossibility.com/employee_ret...
Be well Frank!
John H.
Nov 17th, 2008
Although I'm pretty sure you can say whatever you want to motivate when you have a well-documented history of winning and pay in the 99th %ile of all professions.
Frank
Nov 17th, 2008
John, you're so right. If you're a superstar business, then it changes things. Someday I'd love to be around that place.
Frank
Nov 17th, 2008
Thanks very much, Chris. That's an honor.
Morale is going to be a hotter topic as the next year wears on. Engagement will be out…motivation will be in.
Mindy Stewart
Dec 2nd, 2008
This was a great blog. Thank you for your perspectives. I'm just sorry I am chiming in so late. I didn't see this one until today. I have actually worked for an agency where the Executive Director (he also “handled” HR) actually sent a memo to everyone that stated they weren't able to talk to eachother about work – especially in the bathroom. I couldn't make this up if I tried!
I work with quite a few HR departments around the country on issues of workplace child care and you are right about qualifications. I have found that in most businesses the HR department isn't even trained on important issues in their own field. They are generally the ones who know how to sign up for health insurance and beyond that, they are seen as largely unimportant to the business.
Frank
Dec 3rd, 2008
Mindy…that memo is a classic. Maybe we should cook up a site that's like Passive-Aggressive notes, only something about “notes from nutty bosses.” LOL.
The great HR people I know are business people. They so beyond get it…and they could work anywhere in the company and make a difference. The bureaucrats — they gotta go. Paper pushers and rule makers are not our friends in this economy…or any.
Thanks very much for chiming in. I appreciate it.
Tom
Jan 16th, 2009
I guess you are right, you cant threat people to be happy.