Four Things Frank Perdue Did to Encourage Employee Engagement
Employee engagement is one of the most important – possibly the most important factor in an organization’s success.
When I look at how Frank Perdue (my late husband) built his chicken company from a father-and-son operation to one that today employs 20,000 people, the biggest factor is that he had employees who were willing to go the extra mile.
How did he inspire them to make the enterprise a success?
Frank was a big believer in the importance of a company’s culture. He told me one day, and I wrote it in my diary, “Values are at the heart of a culture, and part of a leader’s job includes creating the culture.”
Frank’s cultural values included recognizing the importance of each person and letting him or her know that they were valued. Frank understood what the great American psychologist William James wrote more than 100 years ago, “The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated.”
Here are some of the things Frank did that can work for you in encouraging a culture of connectedness and engagement. Frank incessantly demonstrated to the people who worked with him that they were important to him.
Learn people’s names, including the hourly workers.
When we were going through the chicken plants, he knew the names of thousands of the workers on the line, and when he’d introduce me to one of them, he’d tell me something personal about them, such as “Delsie has two sons in college,” or “Norton has been with the company 32 years.”
Be there for people outside of the work place.
We attended countless weddings and funerals, and frequently visited employees who were hospitalized. Frank showed his respect by taking the time to attend?
Be there for people outside of the work place.
We attended countless weddings and funerals, and frequently visited employees who were hospitalized. Frank showed his respect by taking the time to attend?
Show retirees that they’re still important.
On weekends we would often drive to visit retired people in their homes. Former employees were still “part of the family,” even though they were no longer receiving a paycheck.
Be supportive when employees have difficult family events.
When an associate lost a family member, Frank would often drop everything to call the person and condole with him or her.
The pay-off for having engaged workers, ones who will go over and above, can mean undreamed of success for you and your organization. But engagement is a two-way street. Value and appreciate them enough so they’ll value and appreciate being a part of the organization.
Mitzi Perdue is a speaker, author, and businesswoman. She is the widow of Frank Perdue and daughter of Ernest Henderson, co-founder of the Sheraton Hotel Chain.
Permission is granted to reprint this blog post in your newsletter or magazine with the following byline and clickable link: www.MitziPerdue.com. Please let Mitzi know when you do this!
To find out more about her programs and services,
write to: Mitzi@MitziPerdue.com
or call 410 860 4444.
Search Articles
Latest Articles
Iran Trump | Mitzi Perdue & Clare Lopez (TPC #1,542)
Iran Trump | Mitzi Perdue & Clare Lopez (TPC #1,542)About The Episode Clare Lopez and she served in the CIA for 20 years. Defendtheborder.orghttps://ccnationalsecurity.org/ - Citizens Commission on National Security - successor to CC on Benghazi...
Impact Series: Inspiring impact with philanthropist Mitzi Perdue, Part 2
Impact Series: Inspiring impact with philanthropist Mitzi Perdue, Part 2Watch The Episode About The Episode Welcome to Ren’s Philanthropic Insights, hosted by Kim Ledger, Ren’s SVP of Complex Assets, and co-host Sarah Rhodes, Ren’s Family Office Charitable Services...
Impact Series: Inspiring impact with philanthropist Mitzi Perdue, Part 1
Impact Series: Inspiring impact with philanthropist Mitzi Perdue, Part 1Watch The Episode About The Episode Welcome to Ren’s Philanthropic Insights, hosted by Kim Ledger, Ren’s SVP of Complex Assets, and co-host Sarah Rhodes, Ren’s Family Office Charitable Services...
The Merge of the Sheraton Hotel & Perdue Chicken Family w/ Mitzi Perdue
The Merge of the Sheraton Hotel & Perdue Chicken Family with Mitzi PerdueWatch The Episode About The Episode In this episode, Mitzi Perdue shares her incredible journey, from growing up in the family behind the iconic Sheraton Hotel chain to marrying into the...
Subscribe to Updates
About Author
Mitzi Perdue is the widow of the poultry magnate, Frank Perdue. She’s the author of How To Make Your Family Business Last and 52 Tips to Combat Human Trafficking. Contact her at www.MitziPerdue.com
All Articles
Pelvic Pain: A Different Approach To Treatment
Pelvic Pain: A Different Approach To Treatment Pelvic Pain Is Common And Can Be Debilitating At any one time, as many as 20 percent of reproductive-age women may be experiencing pelvic pain. This can range from a mild ache that comes and goes to steady and severe...
Headaches and Hormones
Headaches and Hormones Most Headaches Seen By Primary Care Physicians Are Migraines Ninety percent of patients who see their Primary Care Physician (PCP) for a headache are there because of a migraine headache. Further, almost 30% of patients in a PCP’s waiting room...
David Copperfield’s Secret of Happiness
David Copperfield's Secret of Happiness Frank Perdue was a big believer in the David Copperfield Secret of Happiness. (By the way, we’re not talking about my favorite magician; we’re talking about the book by Charles Dickens.) A character in the novel David...
News You Can Use: Recent Studies That May Change Your Practice
News You Can Use: Recent Studies That May Change Your PracticeCALCIUM AND VITAMIN D RECOMMENDATIONS ARE CHANGING Our long-standing emphasis on calcium and vitamin D supplementation is currently being called into question. In the case of calcium supplementation, there...
Effective Way to Increase Employee Engagement
Effective Way to Increase Employee Engagement A story about Frank Perdue and Don Mabe The person who argued the most with Frank was the man Frank eventually appointed to succeed him as president of his company. This would have greatly surprised any outsider who didn’t...
When, Where, & How to Eat Your Live Frog! Avoiding Procrastination.
When, Where, & How to Eat Your Live Frog! Avoiding Procrastination. I’ve got a really great habit for you, one that can change your life, and speed you along your way to the success that you’ve dreamed of. It’s a tip that really works. Ready? Become a Ranovore! Hmmm,...