Gallup surveys show that 34% of U.S. workers report that they are engaged in their workplace (Gallup data). Engagement drives productivity, customer service and profitability. Many factors can reduce employee engagement which includes organizational tumult, distrust of managers, job market unease, and a lack of cohesion among workers and teams. Organizations need to improve engagements by focus in on employee engagement. Leaders need to focus on employee engagement in order to continue to enhance retention and production.
There are 7 ways to improve employee engagement in order to improve morale, productivity and organizational commitment.
- Provide the right tools to work.
A company’s infrastructure includes the tools and processes people use to complete their work and the organizational capabilities they have at their disposal, explains Don MacPherson, a partner in the employee engagement practice at AON in Minneapolis.
- Give Employees Individual Attention
This is the first time in America’s history that we have 5 generations in the workplace. We cannot manage or lead by a “one size fit all” philosophy. Moreover, we have a multiethnic and multinational employee base. We must treat each individual differently and meet each of their individual attention needs to engage this employee group.
- Provide Training and Coaching
Creating a culture that fosters continuous development does more than help workers build the skills they need to do their jobs. It also communicates that the organization values its employees and believes in their potential.
- Listen to Employees
Effective leaders pay close attention to what workers have to say and then act on the feedback, according to the 2016 Trends in Global Employee Engagement. Engaged workers feel emotionally invested in their jobs. A simple way to help employees care more about their workplace is to foster closer connections to colleagues. In a workplace where teams are increasingly important, healthy personal relationships are a key ingredient.
- Serve Others
This is particularly important to Generation Y and Z. Service projects are another opportunity to help workers cultivate closer relationships. And they’re rarely expensive to implement.
