'Back to the floor' remains a powerful tactic

There's an interesting article in today's FT featuring, amongst others, our friends over at Summersault.

I agree with the sentiment. The humble 'back to the floor' exercise remains an extremely powerful tactic if implemented in the right way.

Leaders who are genuinely (and I emphasise the word) keen to roll up their sleeves and get stuck in win real plaudits with their people. Not only does it demonstrate that the leader is accessible and approachable, but it inevitably helps the top team better understand the day-to-day challenges faced by frontline staff (which in turn makes it easier for us communicators to influence their future behaviour!)

There's no doubting time spent at the coal face helps leaders empathise with employees and understand the sometimes harsh realities of organisational life. But it must be done with the right intentions. Employees can smell spin and hyperbole a mile off - and they will judge leaders harshly if they spot a mismatch between words and actions or think it's being done for the wrong reasons. So tread carefully and don't be tempted to do it just for the 'PR' value.

That warning aside, I would like to see more leaders regularly engage in this type of activity. CEOs who regularly spend time on the phones in the call centre, HR Directors who flip the burgers every month or two, senior managers who help make widgets on the production line from time to time - these are great ways to build bridges between leaders and frontline employees, to improve the quality and relevance of leadership communications and, dare I say it, to bypass middle managers when there is a risk that they are not fulfilling their role as communicators.

Lee Smith on Feb 17 2009

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