Zombies have much in common with angry current and former employees. They can decimate a brand as quickly as a village in your favorite horror movie.
Watch for the warning signs or it may be too late.
According to the Zombie Research Society, zombies have 3 main characteristics: 1. they are reanimated corpses, 2. are relentlessly aggressive and 3. are infected and infectious
1. Reanimated corpses
You may have them—and now you'll recognize them immediately. They might be employees who are:
- weary and numb, they haven’t had a good coach or mentor to help them grow
- bleary and dazed from managing duties at home and working from home—and not enough support from you
- burned out and unengaged with your vision
- overworked, with no help in sight
- grumblers who never shared your purpose, but just want a paycheck
They are literally dead on their feet. Stumbling, bumping into things and groaning aloud. It can be terrifying to other employees and clients who must run for cover.
2. Relentlessly aggressive
Zombies never quit. In their relentless pursuit of brains, they’re almost unstoppable.
Make sure to give your employees food for their own brains so they’re not getting starved out:
- Are staff meetings and working environment steeped in your culture—even via Zoom?
- Do you regularly share the business goals and progress toward reaching them?
- Are training budgets adequate to support their personal growth and innovative ideas?
- Do employees have the tools and the latitude they need to deliver upon your brand promise?
If you’re not feeding them, they’ll hungrily search for another position—and kill your financial institution’s reputation as they spill out their venom on anyone who will listen. They can be lethal.
3. Infected—and infectious
The zombies in most movies create more of their kind with a bite. In your bank or credit union, the bite could be rumor mongering, playing politics or troublemaking that gets other people riled up.
It can spread like pink eye at a daycare.
Employees who were previously ambivalent will “turn.” Good employees adopt bunker mentality as they fight for their lives. Soon, you have an unstoppable force.
Don't tolerate bad actors. Inoculate your employees and protect your brand by taking swift action.
Be vigilant
Watch for the telltale signs: employees just going through the motions or doing the minimum to get by, loyal customers and employees suddenly missing.
If any one employee has all 3 of these issues, he may be past saving. If you have many employees with these issues, it could take radical action to save your brand. And remember to double tap.
This is an excerpt from Martha Bartlett Piland's book “Beyond Sticky,” available in paperback and epub versions. Find it on Amazon and everywhere books are sold.
If you’re ready for help activating a unique, irresistible employer brand and culture for your bank, credit union or advisory firm, book a meeting with Martha Bartlett Piland, CFMP right now.
photo credit: Zyanya Citlalli on Unsplash • illustration credit: Martha Bartlett Piland, CFMP
