How Leaders Can Make Work Matter More with Jason Anthoine

The Leadership Habit

In the latest episode of The Leadership Habit Podcast, Jenn DeWall sat down with Jason Anthoine to find out how leaders can help make work matter more. With over 35 years of experience working alongside CEOs, CHROs, and the C-Suite, Jason has dedicated his career to enhancing internal communication within organizations. His authentic approach, deeply rooted in his upbringing in a blue-collar household in Fort Valley, Georgia, aims to make work and the people who do it genuinely matter.

Meet Jason Anthoine, Employee Experience Expert

Jason Anthoine is not just an expert in internal communications; he is someone whose passion for the field began in childhood. Growing up with a father who was a foreman at a school bus factory and a mother who worked as a secretary at a bank, Jason was fascinated by the stories his parents brought home from work.

This early interest led him to study public relations and eventually to a career where he has helped companies like GE, Siemens, and Newell Brands inform, involve, and inspire their employees. As Jason puts it, “If you’re going to spend 8, 10, 12 hours a day at work, it really ought to matter. Right? And you ought to enjoy it. So what can I do to help make that happen?”

Why Making Work Matter is Essential

The concept of “making work matter” is more relevant today than ever. As Jason points out, “quiet quitting” and general dissatisfaction at work clearly indicate that employees need more engagement. The 2024 Gallup State of the Workforce survey estimates that 62% of the workforce is disengaged. They also estimate that low employee engagement costs the global economy $8.9 Trillion annually!

Employees who have a sense of purpose or meaning at work are more likely to be engaged. Higher engagement leads to lower turnover, higher productivity and better business results. So, how can leaders help make work matter more?

Effective Communication is Crucial

Effective communication plays a pivotal role in this process. Jason emphasizes that leaders need to focus on both “big C” and “little c” communications. While “big C” communications come from the corporate level, “little c” communications happen daily at all levels of the organization and are often overlooked. “The big C stuff might be 10% of communications, but the little C stuff is 90%. And that’s where leaders need to focus more of their time,” Jason explains. In the episode, Jason and Jenn break down a few things leaders can do to improve communication at work:

Be Yourself:

Employees want their leaders to be authentic. Jason advises leaders to be themselves, even if it means occasionally making mistakes in communication. “Your employees want you to communicate, and they’re less concerned about how polished that might be,” says Jason.

Regular Communication is Crucial:

Jason is surprised by the number of organizations where leaders need to communicate regularly with their teams, especially in a hybrid work environment. He suggests simple, regular updates to keep everyone aligned and engaged, even if it’s just five minutes at the start or end of a shift.

The Role of the Scoreboard:

Drawing an analogy from sports, Jason discusses the importance of having a “scoreboard” at work. Employees need to know how they are doing and how their work contributes to the organization’s goals. Regular feedback and updates are essential for maintaining motivation and direction. “It’s important to look forward, not just in the rearview mirror. What are we going to do this quarter?” Jason advises.

Jenn points out that in her work as a coach and training facilitator, she is often shocked that employees don’t know about organizational goals or why they are working on a specific project. She reminds the audience that communicating the why is crucial to making work matter.

Jason Anthoine’s Practical Tips for Leaders

1. Invest Time in Communication: Jason acknowledges that leaders are often pressed for time, but he insists that investing time in communication is crucial. Clear, consistent communication helps employees understand their roles and the bigger picture, leading to better performance and engagement. “You have to make the time to do that because when you do, people begin to understand the context of the little things that they do every day and how those things add up,” Jason explains.
2. Use the Right Channels: It’s important to use communication channels that are effective for your team. Whether it’s face-to-face meetings, emails, or even fax machines (yes, some companies still use them!), the key is to ensure that the communication is clear and reaches everyone. Jason shares an interesting example, “We have a client that is very old fashioned and they still use fax machines. The employees gather around the fax machine waiting for information because it’s all about the content and not necessarily about the channel.”
3. Focus on Content Over Channels: While the medium is important, what truly matters is the content of the communication. Make sure your messages are concise, relevant, and actionable. Jason recommends the Smart Brevity approach, which focuses on delivering short, impactful messages. “Short and simple and easy to understand. That will solve 95% of communication issues,” Jason suggests.
4. Set and Manage Expectations: One of the most common issues in communication is mismatched expectations. Leaders need to set clear expectations and be consistent in their communication efforts. This builds trust and ensures that everyone is on the same page. “Whatever those things are that you set based on what you and they want, just stick to it. Just stick to it at first. It’s hard. It’s like any habit,” Jason advises.

Leaders CAN Make Work Matter More!

As Jason Anthoine shares, making work matter is not just about grand gestures or corporate announcements. It’s about the daily interactions and communications that build a culture of trust, engagement, and purpose. By focusing on being authentic, investing time in regular communication, and ensuring that both “big C” and “little c” communications are given their due attention, leaders can create a work environment where employees feel valued and motivated.

For more insights and practical advice on enhancing your leadership and communication skills, be sure to listen to the full episode of The Leadership Habit Podcast. If you’re looking to dive deeper into leadership development, explore our range of resources and workshops at Crestcom.

As Jason puts it, “Just have a little bit of humility and a little bit of empathy and understand that everybody really truly wants to do the right thing. And not everybody even knows what that is. But as long as we’re shooting in that direction, we’re way ahead of where others are.”

Where to Find More From Jason Anthoine

If you enjoyed hearing from Jason Anthoine and want to learn more, you can find him here:

• Connect on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jasonanthoine/
• Check out Jason’s special downloadable resources for our audience here: jasonanthoine.com/theleadershiphabit
• Check out Jason’s podcast: Riding Shotgun with Jason Anthoine

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