Many companies believe that fostering employee satisfaction and retention is achieved by offering stock ownership plans that help employees feel like part owners. However, as we know, a slice of the profits is just not enough.
Peter Senge, Founding Chair of the Society for Organizational Learning (SoL) wrote in his book, The Fifth Discipline, about the need for a shared vision in organizations. Senge writes, “One of the deepest desires underlying shared vision is the desire to be connected to a larger purpose and one another.”
At online retailer Zappos, CEO Tony Hsieh’s vision is grand and clear. Hsieh says, “At Zappos, our higher purpose is delivering happiness. Whether it's the happiness our customers receive when they get a new pair of shoes or the perfect piece of clothing, or the happiness they get when dealing with a friendly customer rep over the phone, or the happiness our employees feel about being a part of a culture that celebrates their individuality, these are all ways we bring happiness to people's lives."
When your employees are aligned to a larger, shared vision, they’ll be more satisfied and loyal. When you commit to a higher purpose, you also commit to making the world a better place in the best way you know how.
For more on Zappos’s happiness philosophy, take a look at this slide show presentation delivered by Tony Hsieh at the 2009 SXSW Interactive Festival.
Zappos really gets it. Nice Post Jenny.
ReplyDeleteThanks BJ. Zappos is a truly inspiring company in their singular quest to bring happiness to people's lives. Zappos has shown, time and time again, that integrity and virtue are alive and well in business.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Jenny. Tony Hsieh is the man -- an inspiring presentation. I get the feeling Zappos is just getting started. Look out Amazon.com!
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