Description

Guest: Kamaria Scott

Kamaria Scott is an experienced industrial-organizational (I/O) psychologist and a veteran in the field of employee engagement. With a career spanning over two decades, Kamaria has a deep understanding of the intricacies of workplace culture, employee engagement, and the essential role of managers in creating healthy and productive organizational environments.

Episode Summary:

In this episode, Craig Forman sits down with Kamaria to discuss the current state of employee engagement in 2024. They explore the minimal progress made over the years and dive into the psychological aspects of work, the evolving role of managers, and the importance of aligning individual and organizational values. The conversation provides valuable insights into creating meaningful work experiences and effective management practices.

Key Points:

State of Employee Engagement:

• Discussion on the progress of employee engagement over the past two decades, referencing Gallup's findings. 
• Examination of the slight uptick during the pandemic and subsequent decline.

Philosophical Agreement on Work:

• Importance of revisiting the psychological contract between employers and employees. - Need for clarity on what work should mean for individuals. 

Role of Managers vs. Leaders:

• Distinction between executives, leaders, and managers.
• Managers as both employees and leaders within organizations.
• Importance of supporting and developing managers.

Personal Development and Self-Awareness:

• Encouraging employees to understand their goals and aspirations.
• Fostering growth through passion projects and aligning individual goals with organizational needs.
• Separating performance management from development conversations.

Creating Win-Win Scenarios:

• Strategies for aligning company values with employee values.
• The role of managers in creating supportive and productive work environments.

Resource Links:

Research:

• Gallup 2024 State of the Global Workforce Report

 Books:

• "Hardwiring Excellence" by Quint Studer 
• "Change the Culture, Change the Game" by Roger Connors and Tom Smith