There is often a lot of rhetoric about helping your employees “see the big picture.” This post provides insight into what this means, the benefits of doing it and some steps on implementing a program around helping your employees see the big picture for your organization.
What Does See the Big Picture Mean?
Many of us have heard the story about three bricklayers working at their craft. When they are asked to describe what they are doing, the first replies…
“I’m earning a wage.” The second replies…
“I’m building a wall.” The third replies…
“I’m building a cathedral.
Obviously, the third bricklayer has a sense of the grander scheme and his/her part in the process. Each of your employees should know the organization’s objectives. They then need to understand how and why what they do contributes to the grand scheme of the organization’s goals. Workers with silo vision about the company’s vision only consider their daily tasks independent of other jobs, departments and divisions. Furthermore, they are often unproductive, non-collaborative and downright uncooperative.
This type of mindset does little to move the company forward. Further, with everyone working toward different goals and each have his or her own agenda does nothing for teambuilding, creates chaos and does not provide employees with a purpose. Following are some of the benefits of helping employees see the big picture.
The Benefits of Including Employees in the Big Picture
The benefits of having employees understand and buy into the big picture pays off in several ways.
- Helps ensure that everyone is pulling in the same direction
- Enhances decision-making. When it comes to making important decisions, people who know, understand and share the vision of the organization will make better decisions for the organization rather than self-gain or sabotage.
- Employees are more focused
- Workers achieve higher performance levels due to the sense of ownership that seeing the big picture provides.
- Employees feel more valued. According to PsychCentral.com, employees who feel valued are more engaged in their work and more motivated.
- Your customers will receive better service from a team who understand the core values of the business and exercise accountability in delivering that value.
One of the reasons many organizations fail to include employees in the big picture is the fear of disclosing too much information. While this, at times, might be walking a tightrope, it is better to err on the side of being open and honest, even with bad news. As you can see from the above list, there are no negatives. It is not enough to understand the value in helping your employees see the big picture. You must know the steps to take in order to deliver the big picture in a way that is understandable and meaningful.
Steps to Help Your Employees See the Big Picture
- Help employees understand the roles of those they directly interact with and how what they do affects the work of others all over the organization. One of the ways to accomplish this is by establishing a cross-training program.
- Develop and train your employees. Establishing both formal and informal training programs is a good idea. For the more informal sessions, providing on-line sessions can help reduce costs. Be sure to measure the effectiveness of any training program.
- Extend the opportunity for new responsibilities. This is particularly helpful for engagement, succession planning and extending a level of trust to your employees.
- Maintain open communication to increase trust and for informing your team. Yes, Virginia, this includes the bad news as well.
- Be the boss, but not bossy. This means lead, being accountable, stand up for your team, being willing to make the tough decisions and admitting it when you’re wrong.
- Be supportive. Help employees reach their performance and career goals.
These are simple steps and programs. Many of them cost nothing, but carry a huge ROI. Sharing the big picture helps reduce turnover, improve customer service and increase profits. What’s to lose? Got the picture?
Graphic Credit: Big Stock.com
