'Guiding principles' | Want to get better at keeping staff on side? Here's how

With any changes in the business – and not always even changes, just the general direction of the business – it is important that the whole workforce is brought into it and understands what its priorities are.

This is because, if employees are on board with it, then they better deliver, feel like they are part of the company, and as though their contribution is driving positive changes. All businesses will have differing goals and priorities, but how can leaders make sure that the workforce understands these priorities?

Writing in an op-ed for The Times Simon Morrish, CEO at Ground Control, said: “It sounds simple on the surface — just tell your people at a town hall-style meeting — but when you dig a little you realise that without embedding an understanding of your plan it will fall apart. To help us to get it right we have created a few guiding principles.”

Getting better at this is in the best interest of leaders because, if staff are on side, they are more likely to be productive, happy and loyal, resulting in huge follow-on benefits for the business. Below, Grapevine Leaders has summarised three principles which Morrish says are essential to keeping staff on side.