Weight Watchers Builds Workforce Unity with OBSESS Framework
Weight Watchers partnered with Zenith Labs to strengthen connections between senior leaders and emerging employees. Using the OBSESS framework, they launched a storytelling initiative to share leadership, education, and development stories, fostering a more unified and committed workforce.
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By partnering with Zenith Labs and using the OBSESS framework, Weight Watchers transformed storytelling into a powerful tool for connection, retention, and cultural alignment, creating a workplace where employees felt invested in both their own development and the company’s future.
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The OBSESS framework
Here’s how they applied each
step of the OBSESS
framework to bring their values to life:
Observe
The founders of Zenith Labs helped Weight Watchers conduct a thorough assessment of the current state of internal communication and relationships between senior leaders and newer employees. They observed that while employees respected the company’s mission, they often felt disconnected from leadership and sought more personal engagement to strengthen their sense of belonging and purpose. This insight revealed an opportunity to bridge the gap with meaningful stories and mentorship.
Benchmark
Zenith Labs assisted Weight Watchers in analyzing best practices for fostering engagement and loyalty in similar organizations. They saw that companies with high retention and loyalty often created platforms where leaders could share their journeys, insights, and personal experiences with employees. This benchmarking confirmed that storytelling could be an effective way to build stronger, more authentic connections across organizational levels.
Strategize
Together with the founders of Zenith Labs, Weight Watchers developed a strategy to create and distribute content that showcased stories of leadership, career development, and personal growth from senior leaders. The plan included recording videos, capturing written narratives, and even hosting live Q&A sessions. The goal was to highlight leadership paths, share lessons learned, and provide guidance that would inspire and connect with emerging employees.
Scale
Following a structured, step-by-step approach, Weight Watchers, with Zenith Labs’ support, recorded and curated stories across different divisions. Senior leaders were encouraged to share not only their professional achievements but also their challenges and growth moments, fostering an atmosphere of openness and vulnerability. The videos and written stories were then organized into an internal platform accessible to all employees, creating a centralized resource for personal and professional inspiration.
Execute
Starting with a limited release to gather initial feedback, Weight Watchers and Zenith Labs tested the impact of these stories within a few departments. Employees responded enthusiastically, expressing appreciation for the candid insights and relatable experiences shared by senior leaders. Encouraged by this positive feedback, Weight Watchers expanded the initiative company-wide, ensuring every employee had access to this storytelling content.
Sustain
To keep the program alive and evolving, Weight Watchers created a continuous loop where leaders and emerging employees could contribute their own stories over time. Zenith Labs advised on implementing regular “storytelling moments” during company meetings and quarterly updates, ensuring a consistent flow of new, relevant content. This approach allowed the storytelling initiative to grow organically and remain a core part of Weight Watchers’ culture.
Outcomes of our framework
This is how our OBSESS framework helped them with some
amazing outcomes
The storytelling content resonated with employees, sparking their interest in connecting with senior leaders. Employees began scheduling one-on-one meetings and group sessions with leaders, fostering relationships that bridged departmental and generational divides. This newfound connection brought a sense of unity and shared purpose throughout the company.
Employees reported feeling more committed to Weight Watchers’ mission and vision, seeing their leaders not only as executives but as relatable mentors and guides. This strengthened their loyalty to the company, as they felt valued and understood, contributing to a deeper commitment to stay and build their careers within Weight Watchers.
With storytelling at the heart of Weight Watchers’ culture, employees felt empowered to learn, grow, and pursue development opportunities within the organization. The stories provided inspiration and guidance, creating a positive feedback loop where employees were motivated to seek mentorship and, in turn, pay it forward by sharing their own growth stories.
