Sometimes, we forget that life can be hard for our employees. As a leader, you face constant challenges like technological shifts and evolving consumer needs. Your employees also face challenges including the ones they face at work, but also in their personal lives. If you’re employing people at a lower wage, their life is harder than you can imagine, and by fostering adaptability within your business, you can create a culture of care.
In this episode, you will gain insights into adaptability from Mark Peters. Mark is the CEO of Butterball Farms, Inc., a nationally recognized Best and Brightest Company to Work For. He began working at his father’s company at age 12, gaining first-hand experience of frontline worker challenges. In 2003, he co-founded The SOURCE, a nonprofit helping workers navigate personal challenges, and by helping them, his company achieved an annual ROI of over 200%. In 2020, he published “The SOURCE: Using the Power of Collaboration to Stabilize Your Workforce and Impact your Community.” His second book, “The Retention Trap,” is expected in 2025.
In this episode, Mark teaches:
- Understanding employees’ daily struggles, especially those living below the poverty line, to help them thrive.
- The importance of providing resources and support to employees, including forming trusted relationships to assist with their problems.
- The importance of enjoying one’s work, recounting a story about an intern whose brother hated his job but felt obligated to stay. Mark disagreed, urging the intern to pursue work he genuinely enjoys to make life easier.
- Creating a positive work environment by fostering a sense of belonging and engagement among employees, even in factory jobs