I recently shared some thoughts about the Post Office scandal in the UK and how we need to work together to make toxic workplaces a thing of the past. And I asked the question – who was ready to join the movement to banish toxic workplaces to the history books? I was overwhelmed by the response I got, although in hindsight I shouldn’t have been, I am privileged to be connected to so many like-minded, passionate people. So the next big question is…. what next?
I certainly don’t have all the answers, but I believe collectively we might. I had a conversation with a senior exec a few years ago, who informed me it was pointless to focus on employee experience and engagement, given the very little impact the work we have all been involved with has had on global engagement scores (loads to unpack/ challenge here I know!). I’m not sure I changed his opinion; his mind was made up, and it’s safe to say he wasn’t listening. But this conversation only made me more determined, and it feels like right now the c-suite just might be more open to hearing what we have to say, and more importantly seeing what we can do to improve the world of work for everyone.
I listened to Nick Read, CEO of the Post Office today, answering questions on the public inquiry. He talked about the need to challenge and change the culture and mindset with the PO. He acknowledged the lack of empathy among senior leaders and how they need to get out and meet victims of the scandal to get some kind of sense of what they have been through. He acknowledged that the very valuable trust in the PO as a brand comes not from the corporate centre, but from the day-to-day interactions, relationships and experiences customers have with local sub postmasters. And he admitted that somewhere along the way this had been lost, which then played in the appalling treatment many sub postmasters. In short the ‘say’ and the ‘do’ were not in any way aligned, which is one of the quickest ways to erode trust.
Unfortunately these issues are not unique to the Post Office: a lack of empathy, a need to change the culture, a lack of integrity, dwindling levels of trust…I could go on. There are so many organisations I could be talking about here. And of course it doesn’t have to be this way. Understanding the changes required is not rocket science but making them happen is way tougher.
I asked the question – what next? And I also admitted I’m not sure…but what I am going to do, is to invite you to join me to help figure this out. To get us started I’ve set up some time next Weds 24th Jan at 4.30pm GMT to get together and talk about what next – if you want to come along you can express your interest here and I’ll send you a Zoom invite. And if you can’t make it but still want to be a part of the movement to banish toxic workplaces, then we’ll keep you updated. I’m optimistic and excited to see where this might go.
Hope to see you soon.
