Increasing Employee Engagement

We’ve acknowledged the employee engagement crisis and established the importance of engaging your employees. But how does an employer go about this? Would adding a soda machine and a ping pong table to your breakroom engage your employees and turn a bigger profit for your company? Most certainly not. Increasing employee engagement requires a clear employee engagement strategy. Here are some important components of an effective strategy:

Be transparent: In order to engage employees, it’s crucial to gain their trust and be relatable. As opposed to the temptation to appear larger than life, foster open and honest communication with those you lead. Tell the truth, admit when you make a mistake and ask for input from employees when it’s appropriate. Your employees will respect your authenticity and repay you with their hard work and dedication.

Clearly communicate expectations: This goes beyond clarifying job descriptions. Alarmingly, according to recent Gallup statistics, only 50% of employees know what is expected of them at work. Make sure your team knows what you expect of them in every aspect of their jobs. Also, set performance goals so they know what they’re working towards. This will keep them from floundering and will fuel their motivation.

Encourage teamwork: Employees who feel disconnected from their co-workers often disengage at work. Combat this by fostering an environment where collaboration and strategic thinking are encouraged and watch your employees thrive.

Encourage growth and development: Do your employees have the tools they need to do their jobs well? Do they have the resources to grow personally and professionally? Is there additional training you could provide for your employees that would spur them on to the next level? Stagnant employees easily become disengaged employees. Equip them with the tools and vision to develop and refine their skills and encourage them to move beyond their current roles in your company. Strengthsfinder is a great tool for helping employees understand what their natural talents are so they can work to their strengths. Learn more about it here!

Allow flexibility: If the nature of the work your team members do allows them to work remotely or set their own schedules, consider offering them this flexibility, even one or two days a week. Also encourage them to step away from their desks frequently throughout the workday to recalibrate. The New York Times reports that employees who take a break every 90 minutes claim a 30% increase in focus and a 50% increase in creativity. Giving employees some control over their time will help combat burnout and create more of a sense of work-life balance.

Empower your employees: Show them that they’re a part of something bigger than themselves and give them a platform to voice their opinions on happenings within the company. When possible, allow them to weigh in on important decisions. When employees have a voice and a sense of mission, they will go above and beyond their minimum responsibilities, work with passion and experience greater job fulfillment.

Recognize employee achievements: Take every opportunity to recognize employees for their contributions, accomplishments and for meeting performance goals. This will motivate your team to continue to strive for excellence and produce quality work.