Employee Engagement in the Workplace
According to a study by the Best Practice Institute (BPI) and Career Systems International (CSI), nearly 60% of today's employees dislike or are neutral about their workplace. That's a startling statistic when you consider that employees who love their workplace are four times more likely to perform at higher levels than those who do not.
Here are 26 simple and practical ways you can help create a workplace employees love and with a boss they love working for... you!
ASK: What Keeps You?—Do you know what they want?
Ask your employees in an upcoming team meeting to share one idea or way they stay excited at work.
BUCK: It Stops Here—Who’s in charge of keeping them?
Take the time today to ask the employees on your team, “What will make a difference in your day today?” Find simple and easy to implement ideas and, just do it.‟
CAREER: Support Growth—Are you building their future or are you in the way?
Encourage employees to talk about their strengths, development needs, likes, dislikes and what's really important. Practice effective listening by going beyond the words to understand what really matters to your employees
DIGNITY: Show Respect—Do they know that you respect them?
Learn about the differences among your employees. Have a Discovery Day where your employees are encouraged to talk about themselves, where they grew up, holidays and traditions.
ENRICH: Energize the Job—Do your people have to leave to find growth and challenge?
Recognize the talents your employees are "not‟ using in their job. Find ways to use these talents for job enrichment.
FAMILY: Get Friendly—Avoid making your employees choose
between work and family life. Have a cup of coffee with a fellow manager. Share your frustrations with creating work/life balance and come up with at least one solution.
GOALS: Expand Options—Did you know there are five career paths other than up? Consider an enrichment opportunity that allows your employees to expand their job, extend their expertise or find depth in areas they really enjoy.
HIRE: Fit is It—Make a match or start from scratch.
Spend time teaching your recruits about the organization they have joined. Tell stories; share your experiences and knowledge about the organization's culture and history.
INFORMATION: Share It—Do you have it? Do you hoard it?
Search regularly on the web to find articles related to your industry. Is your industry changing? Share these articles with employees in a team meeting.
JERK: Don’t Be One—Are you one?
Admit when you make a mistake. It's as simple as that. Your 'personal' stock will go up with the people you work with.
KICKS: Get Some—Are we having fun yet?
How long has it been since you've sprung for pizza for your team―just to say 'glad you are here'? Find an opportunity to do it soon.
LINK: Create Connections—If you build them, they will stay.
Host an informal breakfast or lunch for your team. Allow employees time to create connections in their group to grow relationships.
MENTOR: Be One—Are they learning from you?
Utilize other employees to mentor new hires in getting them up to speed quickly and in guiding them through the orientation process.
NUMBERS: Run Them—Calculate the cost of loss.
Do you know what the cost of annual turnover is in your organization? If not, find out. Ask a fellow manager, your boss or Human Resources.
OPPORTUNITY: Mine Them—Will they find them inside or outside?
Talk to other managers in your organization about opportunities they have. Share these opportunities with your employees to encourage growth and development on your team.
PASSION: Encourage It—Help them find the work they love... without leaving.
There are clues all around to help discover what employees have passion about. Place a paper and pen in your pocket and, for the next few days, write down all of the things you observe that seem to provide enjoyment to your employees.
QUESTION: Reconsider the Rules— Which will you keep... the rules or the people?
When an employee comes to you with a new idea, consider listening closely and saying "let's give it a try.‟
REWARD: Provide Recognition— Which matters more... praise or pay?
Find an opportunity today to offer a sincere thank you to an employee. Be consistent in demonstrating to employees that you appreciate their efforts.
SPACE: Give It—Are your people on a short leash?
Talk with a solid performer today. Identify a task that they can start doing without your direct supervision.
TRUTH: Tell It—The truth hurts... or does it?
What can you do on a daily basis with your team and others to build a reputation where others know that they can count on you to be open and honest? Develop an action step and get feedback from people you respect as you work on it.
UNDERSTAND: Listen Deep—When you tune out, you lose out.... and they move out.
Invite employees to schedule a 15 minute "listening time" with you. Leave the agenda open so the employee can talk about whatever they desire. Your role is to have an open ear–to understand their perspectives, ideas and concerns. Just listen.
VALUES: Define and Align—What matters most to them?
Ask employees, “What are our values as a team?” Talk about how your values are similar and different. Discuss the benefits to the team of a diverse set of values.
WELLNESS: Sustain It—Are they sick or tired?
Ask employees to rate the level of stress at work on a day-to-day basis. Use a scale of one to five, with five being the highest. Average the scores and then ask, “What is one thing we can do to reduce this score by a point?” Take small steps that could have a big result.
X-ERS AND OTHERS: Handle with Care—They are different. Can you keep them?
Talk with fellow managers from different generations. How do their perspectives and expectations differ from yours?
ZENITH: Go for It—Sustain your commitment to engagement.
In a team meeting or in talking with an employee today ask, “What can we explore or learn as a team to make us more successful?” Exploring is learning. Learn what your team needs to know.
Express gratitude today – and everyday!
Article by Career Systems International & Flame Centre | Future Skills Institute
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