Employee engagement is the direct result of the emotional commitment they have to their work, the team’s goals, and the company’s mission. Employee engagement is not to be confused with happiness or satisfaction. Often times it’s their “why”.
As a business owner or manager you must acknowledge the purpose of your employees. If you show them the benefits of their work, communicate the bigger purpose and why it’s worth committing to, you are more likely to get buy-in from them. They will understand how their contribution relates to the overall mission of the company and, therefore, are more likely to stay engaged.
To ensure employee engagement, there are five areas of main focus:
Psychological Safety: Employees need to feel comfortable being vulnerable with each other and taking risks without fear of punishment or embarrassment.
Flexibility: Flexible work schedules are valued by the majority of workers and it sends a signal that you trust your employees to get their work done.
Inclusion: By creating an inclusive culture employees will gain a sense of equity, belonging, engagement and psychological safety.
Professional Development: Failing to empower employees’ development can lead to stagnation and possibly disengagement.
Recognition: Acknowledging and rewarding employees can go a long way in improving employee engagement. Recognition should be specific, consistent and visible.
A successful employee engagement program has proven to increase production, financial performance and employee retention for companies.
If you don’t have a plan in place, now is the time to create your program and strategize your implementation.
Source: Bonusly – The Essential Guide to Employee Engagement.