Pick Up the Gum Wrapper

About the Author

Joe Bertotto has more than three decades of experience helping leaders improve their workplace environments and increase team productivity in a way that helps people live better lives. Joe works internally as the chief culture officer at Vizo Financial Corporate Credit Union and consults externally with numerous organizations successfully using this approach. Joe was one of the first Gallup Certified-Strengths Performance Coaches, and he and his wife, Judy, are the first married couple in the world to be Gallup Certified-Strengths Coaches.

Main Idea

"Pick Up the Gum Wrapper: How to Create a Workplace That Increases Performance While Improving Lives" by Joe Bertotto identifies three critical components for creating a thriving workplace culture: leveraging each employee’s uniqueness using Gallup’s CliftonStrengths, identifying Behavioral Expectations for the organization, and designing leadership practices that foster a culture of high care, high performance, and high accountability. By focusing on these areas, leaders can create an environment where employees are engaged, appreciated, and motivated to perform at their best.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Why Make the Effort?
3. Component 1: Learn about Employee Uniqueness with CliftonStrengths
4. Component 2: Identify Company Behavioral Expectations
5. Component 3: Build Defined Leadership Practices
6. Overarching Principles for Creating Culture
7. Conclusion

Introduction

In "Pick Up the Gum Wrapper," Joe Bertotto addresses the pervasive issue of workplace dissatisfaction and presents a vision for a fulfilling and productive work environment. He imagines a workplace where employees are excited to come to work, feel valued and appreciated, and are encouraged to grow and develop. Bertotto’s approach focuses on three main areas: leveraging individual strengths, establishing clear behavioral expectations, and fostering leadership practices that support a positive and high-performing culture.

Why Make the Effort?

Bertotto categorizes employees into three types: those who pick up gum wrappers, those who walk by them, and those who throw them on the ground. This metaphor illustrates the varying levels of engagement and initiative among employees. According to Gallup, highly engaged workforces outperform their peers by 147% in earnings per share. Therefore, creating a culture where employees are engaged and motivated is not only beneficial for individual well-being but also for organizational success.

The effort to create such a culture is paramount because it transforms the mundane into something meaningful. When employees find purpose in their work, their enthusiasm and productivity surge, creating a ripple effect that positively impacts the entire organization. This transformation starts with understanding and appreciating each employee’s unique contributions.

Component 1: Learn about Employee Uniqueness with CliftonStrengths

Understanding and leveraging each employee’s unique strengths is the first step in creating an engaging workplace. The CliftonStrengths Assessment helps identify individuals' natural talents and provides insights into how they can best contribute to the team.

Self-awareness

The assessment increases self-awareness by highlighting individual strengths. When employees are aware of their strengths, they can better understand how to apply them in their roles. This self-awareness leads to greater job satisfaction and improved performance.

“Playing to strengths is the number one action we as leaders can take to increase everyone’s commitment to pick up the gum wrappers.” – Joe Bertotto

Relationship Management

The assessment aids in managing relationships more effectively. By understanding their own strengths and the strengths of their colleagues, employees can improve their communication and collaboration. This understanding fosters a more cohesive and supportive work environment.