The "What's in it for Me" factor

As a leader it is so important to relate to the individuals in your team. Understand where they are in their life, both professionally and personally.Each one has a different situation and as such will react differently to messages and instructions.

The person who has sick children at home will be different from the one that has just announced his/her engagement. The person who has been in the role for 30 years and is approaching retirement will be motivated differently from the new employee who is looking to climb the corporate ladder.

More fundamentally, when announcing the business strategy to the workforce, it is important to remember the “what’s in it for them” factor. If the team is working long hours, travelling away from home and missing their families, news of a new contract might not be received as the same great news as those in senior management see it, unless it is presented with the wider context of bringing in new staff to support the work.It might be the straw that breaks the camels back.

It’s worth taking this extra consideration in all correspondence to the workforce. Everybody wants to work for a successful business, but they also need to look after their own and their families wellbeing. It can be a win win if managed well.