With the value of an employee becoming increasingly defined in the metrics we measure – could we be writing off employees too soon or missing opportunities to unlock their true potential?
While metrics can tell you ‘what’ is happening, they only tell one part of the story. By not balancing the numbers with real human connection where your team feel more like valued human beings and less like throwaway statistics, you won’t be able to achieve the culture, growth or goals you want for your company.
Let’s take a look at what metrics won’t tell you and why you need to spend more time on developing Human Relations, not Human Resources.
Metrics don’t tell you the reasons behind the numbers
There is no question that metrics can give you valuable insight into your team and organisation from your revenue per employee and absence rate to your turnover and staff performance. But they won’t tell you the information you really need – the reasons behind the numbers.
While your metrics may show an increase in staff turnover or a decrease in performance they won’t tell you the ‘why’ behind it. Metrics can’t inform you that your receptionist’s partner is having health issues, that your sales manager is going through a messy divorce, or that a bully in accounts is poisoning your culture. But conversation can.
Taking the time to build a relationship with your employees – care for your employees – will give you the answers you need to engage, support, develop and increase the efficiency of your team, or take other necessary steps to improve your organisation’s performance and culture.
Metrics don’t tell you how to re-engage your team
Metrics won’t tell you ‘how’ you need to fix the issue, or what you need to provide each team member with to re-engage them. In fact, a focus on metrics can lead to developing a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to people problems in your organisation, and that doesn’t ‘fit’ when it comes to re-engaging the workplace. Each member of your team has different needs, values, concerns, motivations and strengths. They won’t all respond to situations the same, and you can’t afford to force them to.
The process of re-engaging your team needs to be personalised. If they are disengaged it is likely they are already feeling ostracised and undervalued in your organisation, and a blanket solution will only reinforce this feeling further.
Metrics don’t tell you what external factors could be impacting your results
Metrics won’t tell you ‘who’ or what external factors are affecting your numbers. HR metrics measure your internal actions and results; they don’t necessarily take into consideration the economic conditions, workforce demographics, talent pool available, or the legal issues and technological advances impacting you at the time.
They won’t tell you that your competition has invested time and money building their employment brand, that a former employee is trying to poach your top performers or that there are customers making life miserable for your team.
While numbers tell an important story, they don’t tell the full story. Measure the metrics, but place more value Human Relations, by doing so you will find you get the numbers you want.
Unlock the true potential in your team, call us today on 1300 278 345.
