Are your employees going
through the motions each day, or perhaps they’re simply doing enough to get by? These are common traits of disengaged employees found in most workplaces across
the world. Disengaged employees are not invested in their work which can be
manifested in their attitudes and the quality of their work. So, how can
companies turn disengaged employees into engaged ones? The key is to start with
management.
Management
can set the overall tone in the workplace, especially where employee engagement
is involved. Read on for tips to help your leadership increase employee
engagement.
Set the Example
Years ago, I saw a poster that read, “Attitudes are
contagious; is yours worth catching?” I feel this mantra is particularly
applicable in the workplace. Managers can set the example for their employees
in just about every facet of the workplace, including habits, attire, attitude, and more.
If managers come into the office late and leave early, then
their employees will be inclined to do likewise. If the manager is pessimistic
about the company trajectory, then employees might be inclined to feel
similarly.
On the other hand, good managers work as hard as those who
work for them. They show up on time or in a lot of cases, early. They are
excited about the work they do, and that excitement spreads through their teams. If your company leadership has a positive outlook and is always looking for
ways to improve, that same attitude can impact employees.
Give Frequent and Consistent Feedback
Managers who frequently and consistently meet with their
employees to give them feedback have employees who are more engaged, according
to a report issued by Zenger Folkman. However, the feedback needs
to be sincere and detailed to have the maximum effect. Managers who develop a
good relationship with their employees and who regularly provide constructive
feedback give employees the information they need to change, improve, and
succeed.
Recognize and Show Appreciation
A study by BambooHR showed the number one reason employees left a
company when leaving because of their boss was due to their boss taking credit
for their work. Managers should avoid taking credit for their teams’ work at
all costs, and the best way to do that is to develop a habit of recognizing and
showing appreciation for your employees.
Managers can do this in a variety of ways. Thank-you notes,
verbal recognition (private and public), are examples that can help your employees feel
valued and encouraged to continue producing great work.
Enable and Empower
Have you ever tried to plant a garden without any gardening
tools? It’s doable, but it’s much more time-efficient when you’re equipped with
the right tools. The same principle applies in the workplace. If your employee
prefers working on a Mac versus a PC, buy him/her a Mac. If you want your
employees to be innovative, then encourage (and fund) participation in
additional educational opportunities related to the industry. Enable and
empower your employees by giving them right tools and opportunities to grow.
Encourage Involvement
Whether it’s a company barbecue or a client meet-and-greet, employees who are involved with their company daily are more inclined to
be engaged. Managers can set the example by their own participation, but they
can also extend invitations and encourage their employees to be involved.
The Takeaway
Having engaged employees
means having workers who are actively involved in the workplace. Engaged
employees are more productive and concerned about their own contributions as
well as the performance of the company. Management can play a key role in the
engagement of company employees. Share these tips with leadership to help guide
them as they lead and manage their teams to success.
Guest Author Bio
Rachel Stones loves to share business and HR tips with
entrepreneurs. She writes for Objective App Development the creators of Built for Teams, a
complete HR system tailored specifically to the needs of small and medium sized
businesses. She also enjoys creative writing, gardening, and spending time with
her family.
