I was listening to a podcast the other day and a question was raised about how many CEOs truly want their businesses to have great cultures where everyone wants to work, gets paid well, and contributes their best. The guest on the podcast said that he knew no CEO who would say that that is not something they want. He said, “what CEO in their right mind would, or even could, say, ‘no, I don’t want that kind of workplace?’” Then the question was asked as to why more of them don’t make it happen and he said, “because they say they don’t have the tools to do it.”

I was walking when I heard that and almost tripped up laughing. “We don’t have the tools.” Right! That is the cry of every person who doesn’t want to do something.

Well, I have to tell you, every CEO, every leader in fact, has three tools available, a pair of eyes, a mouth, and a pair of ears. Possibly the best tools available.

• Eyes to observe and see the difficulties employees have and where they need help as well as all of the great things they do to make the business successful.
• A mouth to 1) praise the great work people are doing and 2) ask questions to learn more about what needs to improve, where problems are, and what ideas people have.
• Ears to listen to team members’ problems, suggestions, and ideas.

See! Tools are available, and these are free, no charge, on the house, they just take time and care.

If you want to build a great workplace, it doesn’t have to cost a lot and require ping pong tables and expensive daily lunches. It just takes engagement and inclusion. It takes making people feel like they matter and have an opportunity to make a serious contribution. If you can do that, your great place to work is not far off.

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