Officers Eat Last

When I coach business leaders in issues related to their organizational structure, the common thread which runs through most organizations is the perceived lack of employee engagement, or the sense that they have far too many employee issues. This perception is reinforced by global Human Capital surveys that score average employee engagement to be somewhere in the 33% range.

Moreover, the data shows that benefits and pay rank sixth or seventh in a ranking of the top ten reasons employees are engaged at work. In those organizations which rank high in employee engagement, the vision of leadership is ranked near the top, along with open and transparent communication and how their direct manager treats the employee.

In the Marine Corps the motto is, “Officers Eat Last.” As leaders, the officers make sure the troops eat first, a far different approach than used in many businesses today. Leading and caring about your people creates a winning organization with highly engaged people.

If you want an organization that is highly functional and exceeds your competition in growth and profitability, then remember to eat last. Feed your employee’s first with care, honesty, openness, and opportunity and then hold them accountable to perform.