In the last post, we discussed how prosperity can be gained. The prosperity of the CEO, founder, or director (the ruling authority) ensures the prosperity of people working in the company. For if a leader is prosperous, nature also helps in his/her prosperity. Even a rulerless company works well if its people are prosperous. That is, if a company lacks a leader, prosperous people can supplement this deficiency through their financial capabilities.
Consider the positive example of Google. When co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin stepped down from their executive roles in 2019, they left behind a prosperous company with a well-compensated and motivated workforce. Sundar Pichai, who took over as CEO, inherited a company where employees were not only financially well-off but also highly innovative and self-sufficient. This strong foundation allowed Google to continue thriving, demonstrating that a prosperous workforce can maintain and drive a company’s success even through leadership transitions.
On the flip side, let’s look at the case of Yahoo. After a series of leadership changes and strategic missteps, Yahoo struggled to maintain its prosperity. The lack of a clear and effective leadership vision led to financial instability, impacting employee morale and productivity. Despite having talented employees, the financial instability and uncertainty stemming from poor leadership decisions led to Yahoo’s decline, culminating in its sale to Verizon in 2017. This example illustrates how the lack of prosperity at the top can trickle down and negatively affect the entire organization.
These examples highlight the critical role of leadership in fostering a prosperous workforce and the ability of a well-off team to sustain a company through turbulent times.
Reflecting on these stories, how can companies ensure the prosperity of their employees to maintain stability and growth? Can you think of other instances where the prosperity of employees helped or hindered a company’s performance? Share your thoughts and let’s explore how prosperity at all levels impacts organizational success.