Lecture Notes: Workplace Communication and Employee Engagement

Key Case Study: Google Walkouts

• Event: 20,000 Google employees walked out in protest of unfair treatment of women.
• Impact: Demonstrated employee power when feeling secure and employable.
• Contrast: Most employees do not feel safe to protest openly due to fear of repercussions.

Concept of Mobilizing Structures

• Definition: Different ways employees organize based on context and cause.
• Invisible Walkouts: Employees disengage emotionally and mentally, not just physically.

Employee Disengagement

• Statistics: 70% of workforce is disengaged, costing billions globally.
• Causes:
  • Feeling psychologically unsafe or undervalued.
  • Lack of communication and acknowledgment of ideas.

Solutions for Executives

1. Unblock Communication

• Importance: Prevents walkouts and checkouts.
• Actions:
  • Continually invite employee input.
  • Make open communication routine.
• Example: Google CEO Sundar Pichai's response to protests was supportive and open.

2. Become Responsive

• Challenge: Hearing without action breeds cynicism.
• Necessity: Address issues promptly to prevent escalation.
• Example: Google employees' walkout was a last resort due to lack of action.

3. Aim Higher

• Goal: Encourage employees to bring their whole selves to work.
• Benefits: Tap into diverse experiences for innovation.
• Example: Disney's internal contest led to inclusive ideas benefiting dyslexics.

Managing Disagreements

• Options:
  • Leave: Find a company aligning with your values.
  • Stay: Compartmentalize and revisit issues later.
  • Disagree and Commit: Move forward while continuing dialogue.

Encouraging Open Dialogue

• Test: Ask employees what topics are avoided but should be discussed.
• Outcome: Signaling openness can help unblock communication.

Conclusion

• Success Metric: Having better, more meaningful problems to solve.
• Continuous Improvement: Unblock communication, stay responsive, and aim higher for a more engaged workforce.
• Takeaway: Encourage sharing and openness to leverage employee strengths and ideas.