More than 80 percent of leaders don't listen, according to recent research by the Ken Blanchard Companies. And 82 percent don't praise, redirect or give appropriate feedback. Despite the fact that more than 60 percent of people in the workplace have smartphones and presumably are better connected than ever before, most of the human connections between people in the workplace seem to be alarmingly deficient.
People crave meaningful connection at work, with their bosses and their peers, but few are satisfied with the quantity or quality of the connection at work. Blanchard's research illustrates that the typical workplace seems to be dysfunctionally connected:
"The typical workplace is at risk of becoming dysfunctionally connected," said Ken Blanchard, author of more than 55 business books and world-renowned leadership expert. "People crave a deeper human connection at work. They need to feel a more personal and authentic connection with their managers and their peers that goes beyond what technology can provide."
- Twenty-eight percent of people say they rarely or never discuss future goals and tasks with their boss; 70 percent wish they did. Blanchard thinks this is because people lack the skills and language to carry out these conversations effectively.
- Sixty-four percent of people wish they could talk to their boss about problems with their colleagues; but only 8 percent actually do. Blanchard thinks this is because people don’t feel safe talking about their weaknesses and deficiencies or asking for help.
Blanchard is hosting a free webinar on Creating a Shared Leadership Language: 3 Reasons (and Ways) to Get Started, on Sept. 25 at noon EST.
