Understanding human behavior at work is a real challenge. Traditionally, organizations tended to focus on the observable: the performance, skills and actions that an employee performs in the workplace. However, this approach can be limiting, since it remains only on the surface of a much broader and deeper phenomenon.
To understand this more clearly, let's use the analogy of an iceberg. When we view an iceberg from the surface of the water, we only see a small fraction of its total size. Most of the iceberg lies below the surface, hidden from view. In the same way, human behavior at work has visible and hidden aspects.
The Visible Aspects: On the Surface of the Iceberg
The visible aspects of human behavior at work are those that we can easily observe and measure. These include an employee's technical and soft skills, their results in terms of productivity and effectiveness, and the behaviors they display in the work environment.
These aspects are important, without a doubt. They provide us with a convenient way to evaluate and compare employee performance. But if we limit ourselves to them, we are ignoring a lot of relevant information.
The Hidden Aspects: Beneath the Surface of the Iceberg
Beneath the surface, we find the hidden aspects of human behavior at work. These are harder to observe and measure, but they have a profound impact on how employees perform and feel at work.
Hidden aspects include emotions, fears, doubts, values, and the individual's purpose in life. Values and purpose in life can be especially important in the work context. An employee who finds a sense of purpose in their work and whose values align with those of the organization is likely to be more engaged and productive.
The Holistic Approach: Looking Beyond the Surface
In view of the above, it becomes crucial to adopt a holistic approach to understand and manage human behavior at work. This approach involves considering both the visible and hidden aspects and understanding how they interact with each other.
Organizations can do this in a number of ways.. First, it is essential to cultivate a strong and distinctive work culture. Organizational culture defines the character of a company, providing a guide for day-to-day interactions and decisions. When properly defined, respected, and promoted, workplace culture can serve as a powerful motivator and unifier for employees.
For a work culture to be effective, it must be in tune with the company's corporate values. Corporate values are fundamental principles that guide the way an organization operates.
With a well-defined culture and values, companies are in a better position to attract and retain talent. Employees who feel their personal values align with those of the company tend to be more engaged, more satisfied, and ultimately more productive.
However, cultivating a strong work culture and corporate values is not simply a matter of defining them in a document. Organizations should strive to live these values in their daily work and establish policies and practices that reflect the company's values.
Another crucial factor influencing an individual's observable behavior in the workplace it is understanding their fears and concerns. These can be both professional and personal in nature, and significantly influence the way an employee performs at work.
Professional concerns are varied. For example, an employee may feel anxious about career progression, doubt their own abilities, fear not meeting expectations, or be unsure about the stability of their employment, especially in times of economic uncertainty.
To effectively address these professional concerns, a open, transparent and sincere communication. Organizations should implement mechanisms that allow employees to freely express these labor concerns. It is crucial that employees feel that their voices are heard and understood, and that their concerns will be addressed fairly and considerately.
On the other hand, personal concerns greatly influence a person's job performance.. These concerns extend beyond the workplace and into the employee's private life, which can cause a series of complications at work.
An employee may be dealing with physical or emotional health issues for themselves or a loved one. These issues can consume a lot of time and energy, leaving the employee distracted and less able to focus on their job responsibilities.
To address these challenges, companies can put health and wellness programs and policies in place. They need to look for solutions that provide employees with a safe and confidential space to talk about your problems and seek solutions.
What do we do in Niubo?
Our specialty is helping employees face and overcome personal challenges, with a special emphasis on family challenges. We understand that Family is one of the most important and at the same time most complex aspects of a person's life. For this reason, we provide an innovative digital solution that allows companies to effectively accompany their employees in these challenges.
Our approach consists of connect employees with a network of more than 50 professional experts in various areas of family well-being. Among them are psychologists, midwives, lawyers, advisers, nutritionists, physiotherapists and geriatricians. Our goal is to offer employees the support they need, in a safe and confidential space, to deal with a variety of issues that can affect their work-life balance.
We strongly believe that having access to knowledgeable professionals can give families the peace of mind they need to focus on their overall well-being. This, in turn, promotes performance and satisfaction both at home and in the workplace.
Conclusion:
We understand that deciphering human behavior in the workplace is challenging, but it is also a valuable opportunity. By taking a holistic approach, organizations can gain a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of their employees.
This holistic approach goes beyond evaluating and improving employee performance. It also includes support for your overall well-being and job satisfaction. When employees feel valued, understood, and supported, their engagement and productivity increase, leading to greater effectiveness and success for the entire organization.