by Jonathan Jones
Many company leaders I talk with understand, vaguely, that employees who volunteer their time and talents to organizations they believe in – whether charities, causes, services or campaigns – bring something extra to whatever they do. But I wonder whether they fully comprehend not only the value of volunteerism in the community but also its potential benefit to their workplaces and their bottom lines.
Consider the following ways by which you can, in recognizing and encouraging volunteer work among their work force, leverage personal qualities inherent in their generosity and dedication to the company’s benefit.
In supporting a specific charity, for example, you can reinforce your values and your mission. For instance, if your product or service is targeted at the youth market, choose a youth program, such as a sports team, to support.
You can also model your employees’ personal volunteering efforts by organizing company-wide volunteer days. Many companies support their local United Way fund drives. However, supporting employees in working directly with a local United Way-funded charity will not only benefit the charity but also give you a chance to observe skills your employees have but lack opportunities to use at work.
Ask your managers to identify employees they know to be dedicated volunteers and bring them to your attention. In making clear to your employees that your company supports them in giving the best of their talents to causes they believe in, you encourage not only their initiative but also their excitement in what they are doing.
Encouraging volunteering not only helps develop your people’s productivity but also enriches your company – and your community.
Jonathan Jones (Jonathan.jones@vistagechair.com or 314-608-0783) is a CEO peer group chair/coach for Vistage International.
Submitted 8 years 235 days ago