Juice check - results of the survey
In last month’s issue of Municipal World, we introduced you to your executive function (E/F) and how it and the energized brain, together, are essential for your success. Our goal was to help not only reduce your depletion, but also to release your energy – however, before we could begin, we needed to identify the causes behind your depletion.
The Juice Check is a validated energy instrument that has been administered to 40,000 people worldwide. In January, Juice Inc. and Municipal World partnered to bring this assessment to Canada’s municipal environment. We received responses from every role (C-level to individual contributor) and across a broad cross-section of local governments of varying types and sizes.
Key Findings
The Juice Check assessed the Five Drivers of Energy by asking 25 questions that measure what’s energizing and/or depleting people at work. Here are the highlights of the survey results:
- I Fit: Round pegs are in round holes – 82% feel a strong sense of fit in their roles.
- I’m Clear: People feel productive – 87% believe they are achieving good results.
- I’m Supported: There are three big energy drains – people aren’t getting important information, they’re not feeling equipped, and they’re experiencing too much unnecessary friction.
- I’m Valued: There is big variance in the employee experience – C-level leaders are very energized and supervisors are drained.
- I’m Inspired: 87% of respondents are energized by the results they are achieving at work.
The Results: Driver by Driver
I Fit – Fit is an area of strength in the municipal world. People feel they fit in their roles (82% energized) and belong on their teams (80% energized), but, surprisingly, they are experiencing unnecessary friction at work (57% drained) and don’t always feel safe (31% drained).
I’m Clear – Energy can be increased in the municipal environment by working on clarity. For example, people are not receiving information when they need it (45% drained) and can’t make sense of processes in their work area (37% drained).
I’m Supported – Support is another area of opportunity for releasing energy. People don’t feel equipped with the time, tools, training, and systems they need to succeed (45% drained). A lack of career and growth opportunities is also depleting people (35% drained). However, people aren’t feeling micro-managed in the municipal environment: respondents feel they have the freedom and authority to do what they’re responsible to do (76% energized).
I’m Valued – A good portion of the municipal population feels respected (74% energized). This is curious, given that many do not feel understood or listened to by their manager/supervisor (34% drained) and don’t feel recognized for their contribution (32% drained).
I’m Inspired – Survey respondents feel productive. A whopping 87% are energized by the results they are achieving at work. They also feel they have the opportunity to do the things they’re good at (81% energized). A quarter of the workforce does not feel a strong sense of pride/connection with the purpose of the organization (27% drained). And, a disquieting 35% do not feel inspired by the work/dedication of their colleagues.
Slice and Dice: What the Demographics Say
By title – If there is a group at risk in today’s municipal environment, the Juice Check indicates it is supervisors. In particular, they’re not getting the information they need (69% drained). Nor are they equipped with the time, tools, training, and systems they need to succeed in their role (50% drained).
In contrast, C-level leaders are feeling reasonably energized (73%), which is produced by a strong sense of fit (76% energized) and clarity (76%).
Correlations – A correlation of 0.68 or higher between two scores is considered a strong correlation.
There is a very strong correlation between people who report to bosses who “get it” (have good listening skills) and people who:
- feel valued (81%);
- feel clear about their progress (80%); and
- feeling supported (79%).
There is also a very strong correlation between people reporting to bosses who are good coaches and people who:
- feel they work for a good role model (83%);
- feel listened to (78%); and
- feel valued (73%).
In the next article, we’ll unpack what these data points mean and how you can use them to release energy in yourself, with your colleagues, and with your teams.
For the purposes of this article, the answers “strongly disagree, disagree, and agree sometimes/disagree sometimes” signify respondents who are “drained;” the answers “strongly agree and agree” signify “energized.”
Brady Wilson has a vision: organizations that pulsate with innovative energy. As the Founder of Juice Inc., he functions as a human energy architect, working with leaders to build the conditions in which innovation, value creation, and unforgettable customer experiences can flourish. He helps leaders step into life’s grittiest tensions, inspiring them to create a sustained approach to positive change – and better business results.
as published in Municipal World, April 2018
