Employee Ownership Culture

The uniqueness of organizational development consulting for ESOPs (Employee Stock Ownership Plans) lies in the distinct nature of employee ownership structures. In ESOPs, employees have a vested interest in the company’s success, which can significantly influence their motivation, engagement, and approach to decision-making.

Employee ownership has been proven to improve organizational performance and employees’ financial health, providing a win-win scenario. ESOPs thrive on a participatory culture, requiring a nuanced approach to organizational development. Because the employees are owners, the structures, policies, decision-making procedures, and leadership behaviors are different than more traditional organizations. Employee ownership provides a unique and necessary opportunity to be intentional and deliberate about the culture created creating the potential for significant growth.

Sample Client Story

Manufacturing Company

Situation: The CEO of a manufacturing company decided to embrace 100% Employee Ownership.

Approach: Building on a solid foundation of interviews and a discovery process to identify current state and individual hopes and dreams for the team and the organization, a tapestry of culture and business focus, has ensured a balanced approach to success. Following a focus a First Team First approach, the cohesive leadership team has communicated with clarity and alignment throughout the organization and has been soliciting input from employee owners, creating multiple opportunities for true ownership and engagement throughout the organization.  

Result: A true culture change! Employees are literally owning a piece of the pie, benefitting from both the satisfaction of actively engaging as owners and financially from the company’s success, contributing to the company’s top and bottom lines.

According to the NCEO, workers aged 28-34 who are employee-owners have

  • 92% higher household wealth

  • 33% higher income

  • 53% longer job tenure

    relative to workers who are not employee-owners.

“Working with Melisa Gillis is a JOY! Her vast experience and knowledge has helped us move in a direction with our strategic planning process that is collaborative, innovative, creative and gave us meaningful and actionable tasks to implement to achieve our goals as an organization.”

- Senior Leader @ Nonprofit Organization