Creating a culture of employee engagement that truly engages.
It's the little things that make the biggest difference in every facet of life! This article outlines ten practical deeds that can significantly improve workplace dynamics
The concept of employee engagement has become little more than a catch phrase for far too many organizations. Over time, the notion of employee engagement has become widely used and, in some cases, has lost its original meaning or depth. For many organizations, it has become a buzzword rather than a genuinely integrated part of their culture and operations.
The term "employee engagement" originally referred to the level of passion and connection employees feel towards their work and their organization. However, there is a basic belief among workers that most employers do not feel compelled, let alone responsible, for their workers happiness.
This belief is often rooted in experiences where companies focus on efficiency and cost-cutting, sometimes at the expense of employee satisfaction and morale. While there are certainly employers who are genuinely invested in their employees' happiness and well-being, this sentiment suggests that a significant number of workers feel that their employers view happiness as secondary or even irrelevant to their primary business goals. This often contributes to disengagement and dissatisfaction among employees, especially if they feel that their emotional and psychological needs are not being addressed by their employers.
Truly engaged employees are more likely to take an interest in what they do and will take positive steps to protect the interests of their organization. They will begin to exhibit behaviors such as enthusiasm, passion, proactivity, loyalty, and become positive influences among their peers.
As organizational leaders, you can do your part to help change the culture of your organization by exercising some basic behaviors:
1. Greeting those you encounter with enthusiasm and meaning it!
Very little goes as far to say, “I care nothing about you” than not acknowledging another person’s presence. Saying ‘Hi, good morning, hello’ delivers an air of humanity and civility to the workplace and the exchange diminishes the feeling of isolation and awkwardness. Resist the temptation to dwell in negative, self-defeating personal Isms such as “I’m not a morning person”, or “I really don’t function well until I’ve had a cup of coffee.” Or worse, pretending you are too busy or important to engage. Although it may seem otherwise, these are personal choices, which for whatever reason, has become a routine part of corporate culture. Starting an encounter or simply passing by with a pleasant greeting will break down imaginary and unnecessary walls and it may just go a long way to setting a better tone for the rest of your day.
2. Saying “Thank You!”
Saying thank you to colleagues, staff members and associates is more than a simple platitude, showing genuine appreciation for something someone has does for you expresses a positive emotion which not only benefits the receiver, but the giver as well. Showing gratitude is meaningful. Grant and Gino’s 2010 research shows that “a mere expression of thanks more than doubled the likelihood that helpers would provide assistance again” (Journal of Personality and Social Psychology). Sincerely thanking others also builds trust; people are less likely to feel used or taken advantage of if they believe their efforts will be appropriately acknowledged.
3. Offer encouragement to a leader in your office.
That employers and managers need to encourage their staff and employees should go without saying, but the converse reality is that being a leader (regardless of title) is a lonely proposition. There is a tendency to assume that the position inherently comes with the ability to self-sustain one’s ego. All-time classic comedian Rodney Dangerfield, best known for saying he “got no respect” once ended his show by saying that “all he ever wanted was one of these” as he formed the OK sign with his hand. To me, it illustrates that no matter how far a person goes in life; there is always a need to know that they are on the right path. Don’t let the fact that you may not be on the same organization level deter you from expressing heartfelt appreciation of a boss’s efforts. It will show that you are smart enough to recognize good work when you see it and help to break down some barriers to your own growth.
4. Offer to help a co-worker complete a difficult task.
Call you recall a time when you faced a particularly daunting project and in order to get it completed you had to stay late after your normal schedule. Remember the tinge of jealousy you felt (or even expressed) as your co-workers said goodnight. If so, my guess is you would have found a friend for life if one of them stopped by and offered to work with you to get the task completed. Building relationships is one of the fastest ways up the corporate ladder and one of the best ways to build a relationship is to be the type of team player who supports their co-workers. Judging by the number of people who include it as a quality on their resume, being a team player is something that employers and leaders find invaluable. For the person who is willing to pitch in, they not only demonstrate their commitment to the organization and the team, but they tend to be happier, because they feel needed and of service. The benefits of having an altruistic nature at work extends beyond the confines of the workplace, with as much time as we spend at work, the healthy psychology of helping others become habitual and allows us to feel better about ourselves and others.
5. Listen purposefully.
We all communicate for the same basic reasons; to share/gain information, to understand and for pleasure. But unfortunately, most of the time we retain less than half to a quarter of what we hear. Many people engage in conversations and either, assume they know what’s about to be said or are simply waiting for a pause long enough to begin speaking. Purposeful listening involves actively concentrating on the speaker, understanding their message, and responding thoughtfully. Purposeful listening requires mindfulness, focus, empathy, and the intent to understand the other’s perspective. Being known as a good listener is a rare and powerful, learnable skill. Try developing these habits during your next conversation:
Make eye contact with the other person, but don’t stare.
Minimize or remove distractions.
STOP TEXTING.
Respond appropriately to what’s being said.
Quiet your internal voice and urge to respond quickly by focusing on the speaker’s words and actions.
Keep an open mind.
It is inherent in human nature to want to feel significant and appreciated; being a good listener is a powerful way to provide that feeling to others.
6. Be sincere.
There are very few acts, which will draw more distain than an insincere gesture; you’re better off doing nothing at all. Sincerity is not something we see or hear, it’s something we feel, but for that to come through, we must genuinely care about what we say, what we do and the people encounter. When our actions match our words, sincerity builds trust, even when we disagree with one another. Rote compliments, superficial responses and watered-down efforts, leave others with the impression that we are more interested in our appearances than the act itself. “By being natural and sincere, one often can create revolutions without having sought them.” — Christian Dior.
7. Smile. (I know, I know, too sappy, but….)
Smiling offers psychological as well as physical benefits. We tend to trust and cooperate with people who smile more often. If you are trying to navigate your way through a difficult environment or period of your life, smiling can lighten your mood, reduce stress and boost your immune system. Smiles are contagious, and foster generosity; we tip wait-staff better when they smile at us. We tend to listen more to people who as open, pleasant, and have a cheerful demeanor. Smiling tends to draws people to us and we look more attractive when we are smiling and relaxed. A well-timed, sincere smile has infinite power to make others feel more at ease.
8. Be present.
The concept of being a multi-tasker is one of those supposedly popular qualities of the day, However, it is often grossly over-used and completely misunderstood. If we’re talking about being able to sing in the shower or perhaps chew gum and walk, then okay. However, when it comes to writing an e-mail or texting, while carrying on a conversation, then there is a high probability that neither of those tasks are being performed at a high level. The highest level of performance comes from those who in the moment, focused on the task-at-hand. The best that humans can hope for is to be able to handle a series of tasks in rapid order, or be able to alternate between tasks quickly. We cannot avoid thoughts of the past or future, what we can do is pay more attention to the present. It takes practice, but the benefits are that you will reduce your stress level because you will being able to decrease the instances where you incessantly compare the now to what happened in the past and you will be less likely to anticipate the future with fear. You will also develop better relationships because you will be able to commit to the people to the person you are with at that moment. You may not be able to get things done faster, but you will get them done more effectively. You will be able to feel the power of being more in control of your present actions and lessen the fears about your future.
9. Be positive.
I am not a psychologist — nor do I pretend to know what they know, there are endless web sites, books, podcasts, and more, which extol the virtues of positive thinking and explain how you can get there. I will simply tell you that every successful person, particularly those who have overcome debilitating circumstances has said that it was their positive attitude that carried them through. It may not have been there at first, but they figure out how to develop that habit. Even when the reasoning for it eluded them. To my knowledge, no one has ever claimed they have done anything worth doing by being a Negative Nellie. Behind that smile you’re planning on wearing tomorrow, set your mind to begin viewing yourself, your environment and the people around you in a more positive light. You’ll find that the people around you will notice the change even before you do.
10. Trust to empower.
So much has been written and said about empowering employees, but what is so important in that context is trust. Balancing trust and responsibility in an organization is always a challenge, but if you commit to the previous nine deeds, trust becomes easier to give, receive and recognize. Empowerment without trust is an empty gift. Create an atmosphere of trust and employees will not only empower themselves but empower each other for the greater good.
These small actions can build stronger relationships, boost morale, and create a more engaged and committed workforce. The overarching message is that by practicing these behaviors, leaders and employees alike can contribute to a more supportive and productive work environment.
~ R.L.
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