Editor’s note: Andy Drake is owner of The Drake Partnership, Newbury, England.
I read this quote well over a decade ago and – along with other viewpoints that resonated – my personal experience supported the view. But the reason many leaders don’t put sufficient store by the importance of health is that it’s not particularly “sexy.” Organizational health requires a real senior commitment and rarely gets the same attention as the latest shiny new toy. Yes, technology and innovation are vital. But healthy companies know you need both. The number one business challenge is simply to get the best out of people. Most companies are wrestling in highly unpredictable and uncertain times to find, retain and develop great talent. At the same time, people are re-evaluating what they want from both work and life. In parallel, change is constant and inevitable, be it technology, process, geographical focus or acquisition and people are the key to success.I believe building health offers a great opportunity for companies but only if they make a clear and conscious decision to lead with an authentic people-first strategy. A truly healthy organization will drive ever better results. It’s a serious and rewarding undertaking that requires a different emphasis for the company, senior leaders and people. Communication is central, making work clearer, more purposeful and balanced. The opportunity and pathway to develop people will ensure companies that commit will outperform their peers. The cost of not doing so is replacing people, losing talent, lowering productivity and missing targets, and this should not be an option.
Organizational health exists when a company is both smart and healthy. Smart requires having clear strategy and good products, services, technology and financial management. Healthy is different, and arguably less tangible, but provides clarity for people’s work and recognition of their contributions, wh...