So you are a Human Resources manager and you have just come out of a meeting where the CEO laid out his plan to implement “Project X”! Project X is the latest and greatest innovation in the industry, but it is unorthodox and revolutionary. During the meeting the CEO expressed concerns that employees will not see the project’s value and may be reluctant to get behind it. As an HR professional what are you to do? Here are a few tips to help build employee commitment:

• Communicate the vision and make it personal – if the organization is having trouble with employees committing to the common goal or getting behind a project such as Project X, make sure the vision is disseminated in a way in which employees can relate. For instance, if the ultimate goal of Project X is boost the company’s profits, let employees know this, but tell them why it is important for them to help raise profits (more organizational rewards, benefits, job security etc.). Give employees a stake in what is trying to be accomplished and they will be more ready to commit to the effort at hand.
• Build a community – it is easier to get employees to commit to a project (even a project as ambiguously titled as “Project X”) if everyone feels as if they are part of a community working toward a common goal. If there are organizational trust issues then moving toward organizational commitment becomes an even harder task.
• Get ‘um early – Adapt your hiring process to focus on finding people who are enthusiastic about the vision of the company. New employees who are excited about the company’s goals can invigorate the organization!

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Quote of the Day

Leaders need to be optimists. Their vision is beyond the present. ~ Rudy Giuliani