Cubs fans can also inspire corporations interested in employee engagement. What if your workers were as fired up, loyal, and dedicated as a crowd of Cubs fans? What might that be like? Gallup and Towers-Watson surveys offer a clue. They have indicated that an engaged workforce is correlated with a 45% reduction in turnover, 13% upswing in productivity, and 12% gain in customer satisfaction.
But in a way, even saying engaged employees are better misses the mark. It’s like comparing some bored dude from Toledo sitting in seat DD17 with an actual Cubs fan. Sure, Toledo guy is at the game, but no one would ever confuse him with a Cubs fan, or even an “underperforming Cubs fan.” He is in no way a Cubs fan.
In fact, she loves her job so much she might even consider doing it for free if she didn’t have bills to pay, and that’s because the engaged employee is motivated. She’s motivated by a deep sense of connection, loyalty, and dedication that makes her job part of an important mission that is larger than herself . When this happens, her job isn’t just a job anymore.
Companies can experience this difference in work culture by nurturing a positive work environment that invites people to bring their whole self– their passions, ideas, and creativity— to the game.
When this kind of invitation isn’t offered, many employees may feel they have to wait until after work to express their energies, passions, and enthusiasms. This situation means a lot of human potential remains untapped, which can result in a robotic, discontented, uninspired, and decidedly unfun workforce.
However, when a whole person is not only allowed, but encouraged to show up to work, employees change. They may even start to resemble Cubs fans, because when people feel connected to a mission, and when they know that their own genuine, exuberant self is an important part of achieving the mission, they are moved to do whatever it takes to move the team forward.
To answer that question, it would be good for companies to reflect on what makes Cubs fans passionate. The easiest answer is that Cubs fans are passionate because they are human. It’s in our nature to care and connect. But there’s another key here, which is that Cubs fans have been encouraged to express their natural human exuberance and enthusiasm. They have gotten the message from Chicago, Wrigley Field, Wrigleyville, and, of course, their favorite ball club, that their investment and caring are not only allowed but much appreciated.
So, for companies who want to experience a happier, more energetic and productive work force, there is good news here. The good news is that people can be encouraged to bring more of themselves to work. All they need is an invitation. Invite employees to connect with their natural desire for tribe, mission, purpose and connectivity. Invite your employees to participate with their whole self and they will respond in kind.
This is one fantastic first step toward creating a happy, thriving, and ultimately sustainably successful workplace.
