Got Whistlers?

Scottish Historian Thomas Carlyle once said, “Give me a man who sings at his work.” I’d like to add whistling to Carlyle’s quip as another indicator of a happy and emotionally healthy person.

Do you have employees who sing or whistle while they work? Are they humming “O What a Beautiful Morning” or “Take This Job and ……”?

Hopefully, it’s not the latter, but something like: “I’m Walkin’ on Sunshine” or “I Feel Good, I Knew That I Would”!

The whistling reference is just a symbolic one. Of course there are happy, successful people out there who can’t sing or whistle a note, but possibly they have a "whistler’s heart.” In my nearly thirty years in HR and recruitment, I (Karla) have seen success follow a great many of people whose careers I’ve tracked. The most notable ones really did have a whistler’s heart: an inner “X Factor” that is tied to self-worth, high self-confidence, and feelings of adequacy.

Have you set the stage? How’s the air around there? Are you surrounded by people who have good feelings about who they are?

A workplace that fosters positive self-regard is a healthy workplace, one where people know that relationships are the new currency that drives business.

At one global IT firm, employees can make mistakes on technical issues, but not on "people" issues. It’s a matter of priorities.

When an organization has low or no priority on high self-regard among its employees, the atmosphere is such that you can “cut the air with a knife.” Morale is poor, employees are often withdrawn and depressed, the culture is diseased, people are fearful, complaints are rampant and frustrations that impact performance are not freely expressed. Don’t let your workplace be choked up with emotional pollution. Make sure your "oxygen" or lifeblood is pure, or you’ll die. If you value satisfied customers, you must first value satisfied employees.

HR isn’t responsible for your company’s culture.

You may hold this belief that HR is accountable for the health of your organization’s culture. However, that responsibility needs to be placed at the very top of the organization and with the rest of the executive team. It is up to leadership to manage their people effectively, and that means taking an interest in the well being, both personal and professional, of those in their charge. Let people be the centerpiece of your organization.

Employees will vote with their feet.

Today’s talented people know what they want and they go for it. They simply won’t work in an environment where there is unresolved conflict, gossip, or a lack of interest in the well being of the individual.

Happy, emotionally healthy employees who are respected and valued can handle and fulfill bigger expectations. Smart managers know this, and they are able to build on their employees’ inherent need to fulfill their own destinies and in doing so, fuel the success of their organization. Take care of your employees; care for them. They will respect you because your actions reflect value of others and self.

And they won’t mind at all if you sing or whistle.