If you or others in your organization speak negatively about employees,ย it sends the message that the company does not value people and is onlyย in the business of advancing people when it serves the companyโs needs.ย There are times when the skill level of your employees is deficient or part of your team is under-performing. There are also day-to-day frustrationsย that come with managing employees. During these interactions, makeย sure that you speak to and about employees with respect. These individualย encounters quickly become a part of your culture and an expression of your brand that reflects on you as a leader and on the reputation of yourย company. How you speak has a significant effect on employee morale, theย efficacy of your leadership, and ultimately, the reputation of you and yourย company.
โข When an employee leaves the company –ย Speaking ill of individuals who leave the organization (e.g., Itโs good thatย โSteveโ is leaving. He was not that good anyway) sends the message that employeesย are not valued and that the organization lacks respect for those supportingย it. This not only has a negative effect on existing employees, andย as mentioned above, it can also blind companies to the root causes of thatย individualโs departure. It is easy to blame the individual leaving thanย ask, โWhat is it about the organization would make an employee want toย leave?โ
โข When an employee is fired. When an employee is not performingย to expectations, it is rare that that individual will agree withย you. This can cause hard feelings. Nonetheless, you should treatย these individuals with respect. Your view should be that the organizationย is moving the individual to a situation in which he or she canย be more successful.ย Regardless of how your employees leave, take the high road. Wish themย well and hope that they had a positive experience and that you contributedย to their personal and professional goals. You want ex-employees who think highly of the organization. Employees who leave may come back in the future. Strive for theย reputation that your organization is one that employees want to work for,ย and how you treat individuals when they leave is an important representationย of that.
Speaking ill of current or past employees causes mistrust and tension forย your existing employees who are probably wondering, โIs this what theyโllย say about me?โ It also prevents you from taking the opportunity to seeย areas where you can improve and build your company culture, trust and loyalty with your employees.
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