Who is your Ambassador of People?
Every company has an ambassador for finances. What about people?
An ambassador is a person who acts as a representative or promoter of a specified activity or organization. Ambassadors in foreign countries are representatives of the President who are stewards of the United States and its interests. Ambassadors speak for and champion the needs of their nation, activity or organization. You have ambassadors in your own company.
Consider the Chief Financial Officer. He or she is the ambassador of finances. They promote legitimate and often conservative spending as they nurture the delicate balance of cash - the very lifeblood of a business. They wake each morning and go to bed each evening thinking about finances. They are champions of cash flow and suggest activities which keep it healthy and in balance.
If people, like cash, are the true lifeblood of a business, who is their ambassador? Who will wake each morning thinking about them and their wellbeing. Who will be their champion? Many leaders default to HR. Works for me but many companies do not have a full-time HR professional. If we believe people, like finances are vitally important, someone must fill this role.
My HR executive was my ambassador to the approach I share in my first book, "It's Personal, Not Personnel," called Investing in People. I kept my finance officer close and he fulfilled his ambassadorial duties but I kept my HR executive closer. She did her duty superbly. I could (and did) write volumes on this topic. Here I'll share some of the roles and functions of an ambassador of people.
Like cash flow, maintain a constant pulse on employee engagement, satisfaction and fulfillment through surveys, sensing sessions and direct engagement
Quality control of performance appraisals
Champion of organizational values and culture.
People-centric input to all key decisions and policies in the company
Manager of fun activities and events which foster teamwork and trust
Manager of birthdays and anniversary recognition.
Manager of the family program designed to engage families and include them as members of the team
There are many more and whether you have a full time HR executive or you 'pin the rose' on an existing person in your company, someone ought to be carrying this torch. Even in the smallest company, take a baby step. If you do only some of this, you are barking up the right tree!
I'm ready to help your organization or one you know. Refer me to them today and I'll take good care of them.
Make it Personal!
Rob
Rob Campbell