“Occupy Wall Street” is a phenomenon that can happen in any business that quits listening to its employees or customers. When people feel frustrated trying to give feedback to someone, they will resort to alternative methods. The “Occupy Wall Street” movement is a great example of this. This has been a spontaneous, organic, and soon effective, protest against the bankers people feel have led the country into the financial mess we are in now.
Regardless of the merits of their case or the culpability of the bankers, the problem is that people have something to say and they feel no one is listening. The attitudes that are driving this grassroots uprising are arrogance and indifference. No leader can sustain the attitudes indefinitely before the law of the invisible hand comes to life and people react.
Right now, you need as many engaged employees as you have, offering life saving discretionary efforts to your business. When the feedback loop is broken, employees will become disengaged and that can lead to active disengagement, which can kill your hopes of surviving the present economy. Check to see if you are listening and if you are not sure, get help fast. People know you can’t always do what they want. They just want to know their opinion matters to you and that you will listen to them. Tip: Most often, your feedback loop in broken in middle management; so get on it!
