Employee engagement is the deep connection that drives employees to exceed expectations, playing a crucial role in both organizational and individual success. According to the latest Gallup statistics, engaged workforces experience 59% lower turnover, 20% higher sales and 21% higher profitability.
Despite its importance, employee engagement is currently at an 11-year low, with only about 30% of employees feeling engaged in most organizations. Alarmingly, 17% of the workforce is actively disengaged – merely doing the bare minimum and, at times, working against the organization.
While you can’t force someone to be engaged, you can create a work culture that fosters engagement. Some of the key pillars of a positive work environment that encourage employee engagement include:
The Manager
A manager’s influence on employee engagement is unmatched – responsible for 70% of an employee’s motivation. Managers remain the leading reason people leave their jobs. Therefore, organizations must invest in developing their managers through training and development opportunities to maximize their potential. When managers fail to meet expectations, difficult decisions may be necessary to ensure the organization’s success.
Purpose
People want to feel that their work has meaning. Organizations should have a clear, compelling mission and regularly help employees understand how their roles contribute to the organization’s greater purpose.
A Caring Culture
Employees need to feel that their managers and organizations genuinely care about their well being. To nurture a caring culture, organizations should promote behaviors like empathy and appreciation. Additionally, they should focus on holistic well being – covering physical, mental, social, career and financial health – while supporting flexibility and work-life balance whenever possible.
Growth and Development Opportunities
Employees are more likely to stay with an organization and remain engaged when they see opportunities for growth and development. Gallup suggests transitioning managers into coaching roles as a key strategy to enhance engagement. Organizations can also implement programs like mentoring, workshops, job shadowing and defined career paths to support employee growth.
Clarity and Accountability
A lack of accountability is a common issue in many organizations, often leading to unmet goals and disengaged employees. Accountability starts with setting clear goals, expectations and communication. Everyone, from leadership to entry-level employees, should be held accountable for their commitments and results.
Hear the Voice of the Employee
To cultivate a positive work culture, organizations must regularly seek and act on employee feedback. Employees should feel that their opinions matter, and organizations should use this feedback to improve both the work environment and culture. Effective methods for gathering employee input include manager meetings, stay interviews, listening sessions, surveys and focus groups.
As a leader, consider these strategies to enhance the work environment and boost engagement within your team or organization.
