André Martine, an expert in workplace satisfaction and organizational fit, joins Kevin to discuss the importance of having an authentic connection to your everyday work. They explore the concept of fit, trends in the world of work, and the connection between fit and belonging. They also share insights for leaders on creating a culture of fit and offer advice for job seekers.
Finding a great fit in an organization is crucial for both individuals and the overall success of the company, focusing on the deep and authentic connection to the way work is done.
Job seekers should engage in introspection and self-reflection before searching for a job, understanding personal values, preferred ways of working, and career aspirations to find a true fit and avoid making impulsive job changes based on comfort.
Deep dives
The Importance of Fit in Organizations
Finding a great fit in an organization is crucial for both individuals and the overall success of the company. It goes beyond just culture and talent acquisition, focusing on the deep and authentic connection to the way work is done. Organizations need to present an authentic employee experience from the start, avoiding discrepancies between recruitment and the actual working environment. Leaders must re-recruit their employees daily by answering fundamental questions about purpose, ways of working, and the unwavering promise of growth. By focusing on fit, organizations can create a sense of belonging and engagement, reducing turnover and allowing individuals to do their best work.
The Pitfalls of Searching for Fit in Job Ads
Job seekers should avoid starting their search by looking at job ads. These ads are designed to attract candidates and can create a confirmation bias. Instead, individuals should engage in introspection and self-reflection before searching for a job. By understanding personal values, preferred ways of working, and career aspirations, individuals can be more discerning in their search and focus on finding a true fit. This approach helps avoid the mistake of mistaking comfort for boredom and making impulsive job changes. Comfort and clarity in fit can lead to a sense of commitment, mental well-being, and ultimately, better career outcomes.
Leadership's Role in Creating Fit
Leaders play a critical role in creating fit within organizations. They need to present an authentic employee experience, aligning the brand with the actual working environment. Continuous re-recruitment is essential, keeping employees engaged and committed. Leaders should answer fundamental questions about the organization's purpose, ways of working, and the unwavering promise they offer to their employees. By doing so, they can foster a sense of belonging, diminish turnover rates, and cultivate an environment where individuals can do their best work.
The Connection Between Fit and Belonging
Fit and belonging are interconnected concepts. While belonging is often associated with marginalized groups, fit relates to the individual's deep connection to the way work is done in an organization. Belonging comes from aligning values, backgrounds, and ways of working with those of the company. It is crucial for organizations to provide a work environment that offers a sense of belonging and supports employees in doing their best work. Fit and belonging are fundamental aspects of employee engagement, satisfaction, and long-term success in an organization.
Do you feel like you fit in at your workplace? Research shows that one out of three new hires will quit within 90 days, 53% of people who have been with a company for half a year are still searching for a new job, and 75% of people experience anxiety before the work week begins. André Martine joins Kevin to explore the importance of having an authentic connection to your everyday work both from a personal and organizational perspective. They talk about the concept of fit, the trends in the world of work, and the connection between fit and belonging. They share insights for leaders on how to create a culture of fit and re-recruit their teams. Additionally, they discuss the role of fit in individual career development and offer advice for job seekers.
Listen for...
00:00 Introduction 02:09 "Wrong Fit. Right Fit" Overview 04:55 Concept of Fit in the Workplace 06:45 Defining Authentic Connection in Fit 07:49 Work Methods in Organizations 08:19 Culture vs. Day-to-Day Work 09:01 Understanding Work Differences 09:19 Matching Individual Preferences 10:25 Leadership in Crisis 12:13 Brand and Work Principles 13:38 Location Strategy in Decision Making 14:04 Finding Organizational Solutions 15:37 Personal Work Preferences 16:05 Fit and Belonging 17:23 The Need to Fit In 18:01 Holistic View of Fit and Belonging 18:47 Employee Engagement Challenges 19:14 Recruiting Talent: Leadership’s Role 20:34 Organizational and Leadership Perspectives on Fit 21:38 Mismatched Expectations 22:11 Recruiting in the Digital Age 23:20 Essential Leadership Questions 24:15 Leadership and Career Development Focus 24:53 Self-Reflection in Job Searching 25:57 Career Clarity Tools 26:46 Comfort vs. Boredom in Careers 28:03 Comfort as a Foundation 28:27 Personal Hobbies 29:02 Book Recommendations 30:16 Resources and Actions Steps
Meet André
Name: André Martin
His Story: André Martin, PhD, is the author of Wrong Fit, Right Fit – Why How we Work Matters More Than Ever. He is an entrepreneur, operating advisor, board member, organizational psychologist, and coach to top founders and c-suite executives. He has held key C-level leadership roles dedicated to talent, employee engagement, leadership development and culture in some of the biggest consumer brands including Disney, Mars Incorporated, Nike, Target, and Google. Early in his career, he was an enterprise faculty member and senior researcher at the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL), one of the top executive development firms in the world. When he isn’t helping companies grow, Andre is a guest lecturer at top universities and coveted speaker on culture, engagement, design thinking and innovation, a committed husband and father of two wonderful children, an owner of a sustainable mushroom farm in the Ozark Mountains and can otherwise be found hiking the rain-soaked trails around Portland with his two English labs (Bode and the Fonz).
The Long-Distance Team. Remote leadership experts, Kevin Eikenberry and Wayne Turmel, help leaders navigate the new world of remote and hybrid teams to design the culture they desire for their teams and organizations in their new book!