Role clarity is an absolute necessity for a high-performing team, according to the CEO of Starlight Children’s Foundation, Louise Baxter, who said team members need know their role, what is expected from them, how they are measured and how they can impact strategy.
Alignment to strategy is crucial, she said: “We know this because we have experienced lack of alignment, and it is all too common in the ‘for purpose’ sector.
“People can feel motivated by the cause and the impact they feel they can have directly on the mission – but ultimately we need everyone to work together, and use their strengths to make it happen.”
Leading engagement
Starlight Children’s Foundation, which was recently accredited as a Best Employer in the 2014 Aon Hewitt study with an engagement level of 88 per cent, places a strong focus on developing people managers to help them know and understand the importance of role clarity.
“This is now a standard part of our on boarding process for all team members,” said Baxter.
“We have strategically invested in our people managers at Starlight. We know how important it is to have a great manager who leads, challenges and inspires their team.
We recognise that each one of our team members are individuals – so we develop our managers and give them the tools to manage each person the way they want to be managed, while providing direction and striving towards the same goal.
“The way we manage our people is reflected throughout the employment lifecycle, from on boarding practices, to developing each team member’s strengths and our reward and recognition practices.”
Charitable results
A holistic approach to engaging everyone in Starlight Children’s Foundation strategy has delivered results, said Baxter.
2013 was the charity’s best year as a business in terms of innovation, development and growth, and it achieved 29 per cent revenue growth and its highest revenue at $26.3 million off the back of an increase in regular givers from 630 in 2010 to 15,000 in 2013.
In 2013, Starlight supported 135,675 seriously ill children and teenagers and it is now the broadest-reaching children’s charity in Australia.
An independent study by PwC in 2013 also found that for every $1 invested in the Starlight Express Room program, more than $4 of value is returned to the community.
A holistic approach
Starlight also recently launched a new program called “Positivity@Starlight” which is a wellbeing program based on positive psychology.
The program includes self-management workshop series designed to assist team members to have a “flourishing life”, both personally and professionally, according to Baxter, who said the workshops support Starlight’s engagement strategy.
“We appreciate that positive engagement and wellbeing starts at the individual level,” she said.
