The Healthy Workplace Nudge

Chapter 11The Financial Nudge: The Return on Humans (ROH)

There's something that happens with the collection of a large amount of data when it's dumped into an Excel spreadsheet or put into a pie chart. You run the risk of completely missing what it's about.

—Aaron Koblin, digital media artist

Patrick Lencioni gets paid up to $70,000 and more to deliver the same, very simple, one-hour message that he's been delivering for more than 15 years: Healthy organizations outperform smart ones. Every time I watch him give it, I am reminded that organizational health is so elusive that companies will pay $70,000 for a one-hour reminder of what we already know.

Why is organizational health so elusive? Why is it so hard for leaders to stop, look, and listen to the messages all around, even in our own homes? Do leaders just not believe or understand the evidence? Are they too busy to pay attention? Do they simply not care?

These are serious questions. The evidence supporting well buildings, employee wellness and well-being, leadership engagement, and designed nudges is overwhelming and growing. We know a Grand Canyon full of data and details we did not have even a few years ago.

I sometimes imagine myself at a management meeting, armed with reams of that very compelling data. If I had my moment to take my best shot, would it make a difference? Would it suddenly change the minds around that boardroom table?

Probably not. In Lencioni's terms, it would likely be a smart presentation, but ...