By Tracey Burns

Recently, I worked with an organization which had been through a tumultuous time.

Culture Collision and Constant Change
Over the space of several years, the organization had undergone merger after merger, gobbling up smaller companies across several countries. Sadly, as is often the case in this kind of situation, employees found themselves downsized, right-sized, transferred, divided and shifted as the new blended company took shape. They were also contending with the “culture collision” that resulted from bringing so many different companies together—each with their own unique people and culture.

The new normal was “constant change” and as a result morale was at an all-time low.  While small changes over short periods of time in an organization can create discomfort, these were massive, seemingly endless changes.

Putting Volunteerism to Work at Work
However, with a little support, the organization chose to take an innovative approach to bring peace and restore faith with its employees—by introducing the concept of volunteerism.

What happened next was remarkable and created results far beyond anyone’s expectations. Employees were supported to create teams of volunteers. Each team was responsible for choosing or creating a community volunteer event that best represented the passions and interests of the team.

There was resistance at first, but with small incentives—time off to concentrate on the endeavour for example—the teams were encouraged to challenge other teams from across the company’s many regions, to celebrate wins and acknowledge achievements. Soon teams were leading community drives that benefited local charities and a whole volunteer movement was underway.

They incorporated a fitness challenge, and members from the many regions began participating in local runs, getting fit while volunteering their time together with their own families all under the company name. Results were posted across the organization and a healthy, friendly spirit of competition emerged. Employees manned water stations, checked numbers at the finish line and handed out water.

Volunteering Gels Company Culture
The process created laughter, connection and best of all, happy, healthy and engaged people. It was a complete distraction from the constant change and the fear that came with that change. New friendships were forged, and as a result once impenetrable barriers to communication fell away.

As the employees began to gel a renewed sense of purpose and inspiration returned to the organization improving customer service. Positive side effects became apparent everywhere. Newly formed employee units quickly integrated and a spirit of collaboration provided the foundation for new team members to adapt.

(Im)Measurable Benefits of Volunteering
Volunteering has many profound benefits. Studies have long shown that the very act of volunteering increases happiness and that the more we volunteer (contribute to others) the happier we become; that happiness contributes to our overall health, lowering blood pressure and greatly decreases our risk of stroke and heart attacks. This in turn leads to less sick time, less pressure on employee medical benefits and lower insurance claims. In addition, employees find themselves participating in physical activities that they may not otherwise have participated in and by doing so, learning new social skills.

Additional positive side effects of volunteering can be identified by looking at two main components that make up a healthy wellbeing. Emotionally, volunteers often report feeling more socially connected, less lonely and isolated. Intellectually, volunteers gain experience and expand their skills in areas of interest, obtaining great “off the job training.” They learn to exercise new leadership muscles including teamwork, communication, problem solving, project planning, task management, and organization.

In additional to all of the above positive side effects, the endeavour of volunteering creates huge opportunities for growth in leadership. Serving as a volunteer whether it be on a board or handing out water at a finish line requires the same level of maturity, professionalism and commitment as the highest paid opportunity.

April 12 – 18, 2015 is National Volunteer Week in Canada.

Tracey is a Professional Certified Coach in private practice. She works with organizations and individuals to promote, create and contribute to organizational health. She currently coaches leaders in the areas of performance, communication, feedback debriefing and plan implementation, specific behaviour and change management.  In addition, Tracey is a dynamic trainer, speaker and facilitator having developed and delivered a series of communication programs which she wrote specifically for senior level executives.  She has trained and led teams of coaches in San Diego, Seattle and most recently Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia delivering a rigorous twelve month International Coach Federation accredited Coach Training Program.  Find out more at www.traceyburns.com.