The phrase "employee engagement" has become a familiar buzzword in the workplace, but its true impact on organizational health may be overlooked. According to Gallup, only 32% of employees are engaged at work. It is crucial for employers to recognize both the costs of disengagement and the untapped potential of engaged employees.
Engaged Employees: Accelerating Success
Engaged employees act as drivers pressing on the gas pedal, propelling the organization forward with their enthusiasm, energy, and commitment. They are highly productive, consistently delivering quality work and achieving desired outcomes. Moreover, engaged employees foster a collaborative environment, working together smoothly like the coordinated movements of a well-driven car.
Actively Disengaged Employees: Hitting the Brakes
On the other hand, actively disengaged employees are like individuals constantly riding the brakes, impeding the organization's progress with their lack of motivation, negativity, and resistance. Their presence negatively impacts the productivity and morale of those around them, potentially leading to counterproductive behavior and even creating a toxic work environment. Additionally, the sustained pressure of disengagement can result in burnout for employees and the organization as a whole.
Harnessing the Power of Employee Engagement: Unleashing Potential for Collaboration, Innovation, and Progress
To unleash the power of employee engagement, organizations need to focus on several key aspects. First, creating a culture of psychological safety is crucial, encouraging authentic connection, open communication, idea sharing and risk-taking. This fosters enhanced problem-solving, creativity, and unleashes innovation across the organization.
Secondly, organizations should strive to encourage innovation and growth by nurturing an environment that promotes courage, connection with peers, and continuous learning. This empowers employees to contribute creative ideas, challenge the status quo, and embrace a growth mindset, leading to breakthrough innovations and sustainable growth.
Furthermore, being intentional about defining organizational purpose and values is essential for engaging employees. When employees are encouraged to identify their own purpose and values they can more clearly connect with the organization's well-defined purpose and values, which promotes meaning and purpose in their work. Clearly articulating and reinforcing these principles fosters a sense of shared purpose and belonging, aligning employees with organizational goals.
Providing growth opportunities is another critical factor. Organizations must invest in employee professional development, offering learning, skill-building, and advancement opportunities. This demonstrates a commitment to employee growth and cultivates loyalty, job satisfaction, and a willingness to go above and beyond.
Lastly, effective leadership plays a critical role in fostering employee engagement. Leaders who lead with compassion and authenticity create an environment where engagement can flourish. Leaders who are intentional about pursuing the highest and best version of themselves model the way for their teams and the entire organization.
Imagine a world where 64% more people felt energized about going to work, connected to their peers, cared for by their leaders and invested in by their organizations.
Imagine what that could mean for businesses, health and wellness, families, society, the world.
Investing in leaders that know how to increase employee engagement is way more than an investment in your business. It's an investment in healing the world.
FOOTER NOTES:
Teri Swope is CEO and Founder of SwopeLight Consulting, a leadership coaching/consulting firm. She has 27+ years of experience developing leaders and organizational cultures.
Her leadership style is inspired by the teachings of Brene Brown, Simon Sinek, Adam Grant, Stephen Covey and many other mindful, heart-led authors and leaders.
“At SwopeLight, we believe there is tremendous untapped potential in organizations; potential for deep human connection, collaboration and innovation. We believe in inspiring leaders to pursue the highest version of themselves. We believe conscious leadership is the key to this inspiration and to accessing an unlimited well of creativity and innovation.”
Teri has a B.B.A in International Management from the University of Texas at San Antonio. She holds leadership certifications from the Inner MBA Program from MindfulNYU - New York University/Sounds True/Wisdom 2.0 as well as The Leadership Challenge program.