Becoming a Progressive Employer: Setting Trends Instead of Following Them

Both Sides of the Coin Just as in Star Wars you cannot have the light side without the dark side, most major decisions come with both advantages and drawbacks. Taking on a progressive attitude as an employer is no different. Understanding both sides helps you make informed, sustainable choices. The Pros of Being a Progressive Employer **Attracts top talent.** Being a progressive employer makes you a desirable place to work, giving you a recruiting advantage. **Boosts morale.** Being part of a progressive team creates a positive work environment and increases employee engagement. **Encourages diversity.** Progressive organizations are more likely to build diverse, inclusive workforces. **Enables adaptability.** Progressive employers can identify areas for change and act on them to stay relevant. **Creates competitive advantage.** Because progressive companies anticipate trends, they often stay ahead of competitors who are stagnant or regressive. The Cons to Watch Out For **Change for change's sake is wasteful.** Do not eliminate something that works well simply to appear progressive. **Not every trend is worth following.** Assess each trend carefully before applying it — relevance matters more than novelty. **Resistance from employees.** Some people simply do not like change. Transitioning to a progressive workplace may unsettle some workers. **Cost of change.** Replacing outdated technology or reworking entire systems can be expensive. **No cookie-cutter approach.** Every company is unique.