The Invisible Workforce: How Glue Employees Drive Company Success

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"Glue employees" are individuals within an organization who, while not always in the limelight or occupying high-ranking positions, play a crucial role in holding the company together. They help to maintain smooth day-to-day operations, foster teamwork, and ensure that processes run efficiently. They are the people who connect different teams, bridge communication gaps, and often ensure that the company's culture and values are upheld.

Why They Are Important:

1. Bridging Communication Gaps: Glue employees act as liaisons between different departments or groups. They understand the needs, goals, and challenges of various teams and relay information within the organization, making sure everyone is aligned.

2. Cultural and Social Glue: They help build and maintain a positive workplace culture. They often go beyond their job description to foster a sense of community, mentor colleagues, and make new hires feel welcome.

3. Problem Solvers: Glue employees are often the ones who help to resolve issues when problems arise, whether they are related to workflow, team dynamics, or miscommunications. Their ability to adapt and solve problems helps keep the business running smoothly.

4. Consistency and Reliability: Because they often work behind the scenes, glue employees are often seen as reliable and consistent contributors. They ensure that the business doesn’t experience disruption, especially in times of transition or crisis.

5. Facilitators of Innovation: While they may not be the ones creating big breakthroughs, glue employees often facilitate innovation by keeping teams connected, encouraging collaboration, and making sure that ideas can flow freely across the organization.

6. Team Dynamics and Morale: Glue employees are often the ones who help maintain team morale. They are natural connectors who keep team members engaged and motivated, especially during times of stress or change.

Why Businesses Need Them:

1. Reduce Silos: In a company, teams or departments can become siloed. Glue employees help ensure that information flows across silos, improving collaboration and overall performance.

2. Ensure Continuity: They help ensure continuity of operations, particularly in businesses that experience high turnover, rapid growth, or regular restructuring.

3. Support Leadership: They take on a “silent leadership” role, helping to execute the vision and strategy set by leaders, while also guiding colleagues and creating a sense of cohesion.

Glue employees might not always be the ones with flashy titles, but without them, the organization can lose its sense of unity and direction. They are the ones that make sure everything works together, often making a huge impact with their behind-the-scenes contributions.

Related article in Wall Street Journal (may need a subscription to read): The Underrated Power of ‘Glue Employees’ Who Hold Everything Together