Employee engagement rarely occurs organically – it takes time, effort, and intentionality to produce and sustain an engaged team. But in order to build a team that is tuned in and excited about their work, leaders must have the right tools.
This report from Gallup states that “..engagement elements that declined the most from early 2021 to 2022 were employees' level of agreement that they have clear expectations, the right materials and equipment, the opportunity to do what they do best every day, and a connection to the mission or purpose of their organization.”
The pandemic played a large role in the decrease of these engagement elements, but the truth is that many companies simply have not focused their attention on employee engagement. But it’s time to pay attention – companies with engaged employees are more profitable, less absent, and have higher company morale.
How can leaders foster engagement? The steps look different for every company, but all companies need these tools to succeed:
Employees need clarity. It’s impossible for team members to engage with their work if they don’t know what’s required. It’s particularly important for leaders to communicate their expectations. When team members feel confident in what is expected of them, they can focus their time and energy on their actual responsibilities, not determining what those responsibilities are.
Employees need compassion. Treating employees as people, not company collateral, is the foundation for employee satisfaction. Creating flexibility for employees, providing opportunities for connection, and offering benefits that extend beyond what’s convenient are great places to start. When team members know they’re cared for, they’re comfortable. They’re invested. And they’re engaged.
Employees need purpose. Most talented employees are not satisfied with simply clocking in and out every day; they want their time and effort to truly matter. Employee engagement can exponentially increase when employees connect with the mission and purpose of the company, and when they can clearly see how their role plays a part of the big picture.
Increasing employee engagement can seem like a daunting task, but you don’t have to do it alone! We Optimize Work helps companies solve their biggest challenges in employee engagement in order to avoid multi-million dollar losses in productivity and turnover cost. We A.I.M. to help our clients by raising Awareness through keynote speaking, Implementing our approach of strategic facilitation, and gaining Momentum by serving as a trusted advisor. Connect with us today so we can help you optimize your employee engagement! Email Domonique at dtownsend@weoptimizework.com.