On the way to my kids school there is nice new office building. It looks great, however there is one thing that always gets my attention. Right next to the entrance are four parking places with prominently displayed placards (illuminated by solar lights so you can see them at night), that read:
“Executive Parking”
I work in health care so I am no stranger to assigned parking, but I feel you can justify this when a cardiology team has to roll in at 0400 am to save your loved ones life.
I just can’t wrap my mind around there ever being this much of a need in the business world.
“Hey Bob, this is Jack we got a 10:00 am market share meeting? What is your ETA?”
“Jack, I am in route, should be there in five minutes. Go ahead and prep the PowerPoint and make sure the conference line is connected.”
“Got it. We have your coffee ready. Thank God for your executive parking spot”
“I know, think how late I may have been if I had to walk a few feet. Who would have advanced the Power Point presentation?”
Optics
The problem really is not the actual parking space. The problem is the message it sends to the team. The message that someone’s time is much more valuable. So much so that they need to have a parking spot 10 feet from the door instead of 100 feet from the door.
Whenever I drive past the building those four executive parking spots are never full, however the rest of the parking lot is packed.
I am generalizing. This may be the greatest place in the world to work. However to me as an outsider it still sends the wrong message.
Everyone is valuable
Think of the impact if they changed one of those spaces to a spot for employees who had served in the military, an expectant mother parking space or an employee of the month. That would send a completely different message.
At the end of the day perspective is often at the core of why many companies struggle with employee engagement.
This is why communication is so important.
An employer’s best intention can be undone if the employees have a negative perspective of the action.
How often have you tried to do something nice for your employees and received complaints?
Nothing is as deflating as that.
However, a deeper look may reveal that you did not set up adequate expectations up front and this led to poor perception.
Where are Your Executive Parking Places?
I know every organization does not have gaudy executive parking places, but I bet you have an equivalent. Something that sends a message to employees that there is a distinct separation between them and you.
Maybe it’s time to reevaluate how your being perceived by the employees and start working on perceptions.
Now if you will excuse I have to run to a STAT meeting. There is a Power-Point presentation that needs my attention.
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