First impressions work both ways. It’s a given that new employees are (often inadvertently) subject to not so subtle a scrutiny by employers and colleagues during the first couple of weeks of their joining. But what is often disregarded is the fact that employees too are judging the company minutely, and as exaggerated as it may sound, their collective impressions are going to shape its future.

I have always been particularly interested in the human element of any corporate business. Whether it is human resource, customer service, or talent acquisition & retention, it’s the intangible quality of the human element of organizations that fascinates me. Metrics fall short of measuring this attribute, yet it is this quality that proves to be the most accurate predictor of a company’s future success.

A warm and welcoming first day at work, friendly, approachable colleagues, a manager who has faith in my abilities, and senior staff that gives credit to my experience was what I encountered as a new hire at my current location. And I will take this opportunity to add that it has been my good fortune to have previously worked with employers who have always valued and appreciated my efforts. The mutual respect between us continues even today, years after I have moved on.

In my opinion, that is real success for any company – the fact that previous employees still vouch for an organization and speak with nostalgia about the time spent there. For all the material wealth a business may create, the goodwill that is generated between people far surpasses every other parameter of success.

As businesses strive to get ahead of their competition, drive more sales and generate greater profits, they need to focus on their most valuable resource – their employee. Investing in this resource is an everyday affair – it is a delicate rapport that is steadily built, bit by bit, at every interaction. At the heart of this rapport is trust, respect and a belief in the best that the employee can offer (unless absolutely proven otherwise). It involves casting aside preconceived notions and prejudices, valuing the differences and judging every individual as a unique entity.

The first few weeks in my new role have brought in a haul of positive impressions for me. As I dive headlong to work on my tasks with complete sincerity and integrity, I hope to achieve success and watch the company grow from strength to strength – both tangibly & intangibly.