The concept of employee engagement is important, but it’s been hijacked by technologists and consultants. Let’s look at what this term means and how you can make it work for your organization through employee engagement software like Qualtrics. It’s also about culture, recognition, and leadership.
Continuous Strategy
One of the best tools for engaging employees is an employer brand. An articulated brand gives employees a sense of purpose and meaning. The strength of an employer brand often determines whether or not an organization can attract new talent. It is especially important to build an employer brand that attracts young workers.
Employees want to work for organizations that value their professional development and add value to their personal lives. A well-designed employee engagement strategy begins with the manager. Managers play an important role in spurring employee engagement because they link the boardroom and the workforce. While employees interact with top executives on a rare basis, their direct supervisors interact with them every day. Their tone and attitude can make or break an employee’s engagement.
Leadership
One of the most important aspects of employee engagement is leadership style. Employees are drawn to leaders who are open and honest about their successes and failures. This kind of leadership inspires a sense of significance and fosters a positive, collaborative culture. Leaders who play mind games or act inconsistently will often drive employees away. Consider changing your leadership style if you don’t want to see your employees disengage.
Most engaged employees have positive attitudes about their organization, feel connected to their coworkers, and have strong opinions about the organization. They are also committed to helping the organization succeed. Highly engaged employees are known as “brand advocates,” and they encourage others to do their best.
Culture
Culture is a powerful driver of employee engagement. When employees are engaged, they feel a sense of purpose and connection to their work. If they’re not engaged, they won’t give their all to produce the best results. Consequently, the goal of culture management should be to increase employee engagement. Sixty percent of employees report that their workplace culture positively impacts their daily lives. On the other hand, about one in three employees report that their workplace culture negatively affects their work.
The factors that affect employee engagement vary by industry, job function, and career path. Some employers focus on fostering positive relationships with their employees, while others prioritize a healthy work-life balance and job security. It’s important to understand these factors when developing a culture that encourages engagement. In addition to a company’s culture, employees also consider their career goals and aspirations. For instance, while some employees want to progress in a particular field, others want to be part of a team and maintain a social connection with their colleagues.
Recognition
There are numerous ways to increase employee engagement and happiness. One of the most powerful methods is to give employees recognition for their efforts. By doing so, your employees will feel appreciated and will feel pride in the work they do. Employee engagement is critical to the success of any organization, as it directly impacts employee productivity.
Employee engagement is based on the fact that employees are motivated when they are rewarded for their contributions. Employees will work harder to meet the company’s goals and stay engaged when they feel valued. Companies with a high recognition culture see increased engagement by 2.5 times. This is because frequent, specific recognition highlights positive qualities and makes employees feel appreciated. This way, employees will work harder and strive to achieve the highest performance levels.
Job Satisfaction
Employee engagement is a psychological state that is influenced by job satisfaction. The effect of job satisfaction on employee engagement is mediated by affective commitment, a factor associated with life satisfaction. The result of higher employee engagement is lower turnover intentions. In addition, employees who are more satisfied with their jobs are more likely to stay with the company, whereas those who are less satisfied are more likely to quit.
Fortunately, employee engagement is possible if an organization focuses on increasing employee satisfaction and promoting employee growth. By increasing employee engagement, an organization can sustain its high productivity and retention levels.
