Organizations that manage people well outperform their peers. Deloitte’s Global Human Capital Trends 2016 research has found five keys to success in building a thriving organization today. They are the following:
Goals are clear and people are rewarded for results. People want to know what they’re responsible for and how they’re being evaluated. High performing organizations set clear goals, assign responsibility, and define what success looks like. People are rewarded for results, not their position. If a company’s culture rewards success, people will focus on how to get things done and worry less about what to do.
Teams are empowered. Today, many people work in small, connected teams. Great organizations empower teams and individuals, letting them decide how to succeed. When people feel they own their work, they take it seriously, because their work becomes a reflection of themselves.
Talent is mobile and agile. Great companies move people around a lot, and talent mobility is integrated into the culture. Rather than let people or executives own their jobs and their organizations, encourage them to change roles, move from line to staff, take an international assignment, and reward them for the effort.
Training and learning is valued. No organization does everything right, and no individual is perfect. Great companies look at all problems as an opportunity to learn and improve. These organizations give people time and resources to learn. Businesses that push for execution alone and don’t make time for educating their workers often fall behind.
Leaders inspire through vision and culture. Great companies have leaders who know where the company is going, communicate a meaningful and inspiring direction, and closely model its culture. People want to be part of a winning team: when leaders are aligned with each other and communicate well, people get on board and want to succeed.
Josh Bersin is a principal at Bersin by Deloitte.
