GOP concerns mirror workplace trends

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The Republican Contract with America should come as no surprise for anyone watching what's been going on in the workplace. In fact, government and businesses appear to be on parallel paths for a change. Let's take a look at the similarities...

In government, the unfunded mandates issue is now seen as an unfair way to make changes. This is similar to the business trend toward decentralization--both in global companies as well as within individual business units. The collective wisdom is that ruling from afar is risky business--distant leadership is simply too far removed to be effective or in touch with reality. The trend is clearly toward pushing down control and authority to the lowest level possible.

Re-engineering corporations and re-inventing government is another example. The message in both worlds is: get focused on the "customer" and get the barriers and bureaucracy out of the way. Employees in both government and business have become so rule-bound they are unable to respond quickly to the needs of their customers.

Outsourcing is the way of the future in both sectors. Businesses are downsizing and focusing on the products and services they deliver best and are farming out the rest. Government, too, sees this as a way to stay in business by cutting out things that don't provide value-added benefits to end-users. Privatization of government services is on the rise and will continue into the next century.

Customer service is the mantra in both business and government. My clients in both sectors are working on understanding who their customers are and how to serve them better. They have finally realized it's the only way either of them can survive.

Entitlement is dead. Accountability and responsibility are in. While government is trying to overhaul programs like welfare, corporations are trying to overhaul their own self-imposed entitlement programs. Companies have saddled themselves with policies and systems that create dis-incentives to motivation and initiative...things such as over-generous sick leave policies that encourage absenteeism, automatic salary increases, and promotions based on seniority are all being re-examined.

Government and business are rediscovering the need for core values to build alignment and a sense of community. Employee problems are a reflection of the society in which we live. Crime and violence are seeping into companies. Disenfranchised citizens and employees are searching for an environment where they can have mutual respect, pride in self, and make a meaningful contribution to a common goal.

Government policies that support core values are gaining favor as a way to fight the root cause of society's ills. Similarly, companies are developing values-driven leaders who will create environments where employees are treated with respect and dignity.

Both government and business are awakening to the crisis in education. Finally, after years of lip service, we are seeing a reinvestment in training as a strategy to build competitive companies. Business is taking a stronger role in influencing what happens in the schools through partnerships and other ventures.

Leadership is being recognized as a specialized set of skills and abilities-not something that automatically comes with a title. Both in business and government, leadership is woefully lacking and sorely needed. Both groups are working to define what it is and how to get more of it.

Collaboration and involvement is being exercised as a leadership style to create buy-in and understanding. Business is trying to reinvent a replacement for the top down, military model that has long been its structure. Government is also experimenting with more interactive systems to get back in touch with the people.

Will government and business be able to make the necessary changes? Who knows. Private industry has a head start but government is catching on. It will be interesting to watch.

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