Nothing About Them

Recently, I was privileged to attend an event hosted by Leadership Frederick County and the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce, which highlighted several local and regional elected leaders. During one presentation, in speaking about the constituents she serves, Alderman Kelly Russell referenced the importance of meeting with people from all areas of the county, representing all demographics, political positions, and opinions.

"Nothing about them without them." was the phrase she chose to summarize both her intent and desired outcome.

I had heard a similar statement in the past, relating specifically to minority groups and individuals with disabilities, and I have seen first-hand the value of ensuring that those who are directly impacted by decisions and actions have a voice in making those decisions.

However, in the context of that day - in that moment when the profound impact of those words hit me as they relate to the work of politicians in today's very polarized world - they resonated perhaps more than ever before. Because, in that moment, it occurred to me that "Nothing about them without them" must also be a rallying cry for creating exceptional experiences in the workplace. Though perhaps not as monumental as ensuring that all people are well-represented by the elected officials who serve them, the application of this simple philosophy presents a lesson in leadership that becomes both impactful and essential in today's highly competitive talent landscape.

In the workplace, "Nothing about them without them" as a mantra would lead us to initially question things like "What is in the best interest of this individual?" and "How can I best support this individual in performing their role?" each time we welcomed and on-boarded a new employee. It would require a collaborative approach to establishing goals, and to coaching for improved performance or growth. It would ensure that beyond diversity demographics, we are inclusive in our approach to the introduction of products, the development of processes, and the evaluation of outcomes. What a profound beacon a simple phrase could become, unifying an approach to creating exceptional workplace experiences that attract, engage, and retain the very best people. It sounds simple, but it is most definitely not easy.

For more detailed information and examples of how to further engage employees and create exceptional workplace experiences using this approach as well as other experience-based interventions, contact dawn@experiexcellence.com.