Building Employee Engagement –Real Productivity and success through cultivating a positive workplace culture. 

Author: Selma Tron

Founder of WorkWise Consultancy

Why are belonging and connectedness currently the key buzz words in relation to workplace productivity and performance?

A 2021 Literature Review revealed that belonging is “a fundamental human need predictive of positive mental, physical, social, economic and behavioural outcomes” (Allen et al., 2021).

When workers feel they belong and work towards a common goal within teams, they show increased engagement and drive. Engaged workers are more likely to help their workplace reach their goals and act according to that workplace's values and vision. According to the Oxford Handbook of Positive Psychology 87% of engaged workers are less likely to leave their place of work, leading to reduced employee turnover. According to Gallup, highly engaged employees contribute to 21% greater profitability and reduces absenteeism. The same study found that high workplace engagement contributed to a 10% customer rating and a 20% increase in sales, directly contributing to customer retention rates.

So how do you keep employees engaged and maximize benefits for your business?

You might like to grab a pen and paper and write down your answers to the following questions.

Altruism – the ability to be of service to others

You’ve got to want to embrace employee belonging and connectedness for more reasons than increased profitability, though that still is a great reason of course.

Why did you start your business?

What do you really want your customer/clients to experience?

How do you want your employees to feel?

How can your employees assist you with this?

Effective Communication and Positive Social Interactions

More on this and the sections below in future blogs but for now!!!

How do you give your employees the opportunity to give you honest feedback? E.g. open door policy, form meetings, suggestion box.

Can your employees rely on you to actively listen to their concerns, suggestions and ideas?

Have your employees got the skills and ability to empathise and actively listen to others so that they can contribute positively to psychosocial safety?

Remember that our connections to other people helps make us feel safe.

Common Goal

How have you engaged your employees to collaborate with you in creating your business goals, values, vision and/or mission? Do you think that this would help engage your employees and inspire them to be more invested in the success of the business?

What have you put in place to give employees a voice in your business?

How have you created clear guidelines and expectations that show your employees what is required of them?

Conflict Management

How do you solve conflict so that everybody feels heard, valued and rewarded?

What psychological, emotional and cognitive tools do you and your employees have that helps your workplace navigate adversity so everyone emerges stronger from the challenge?

What are your own triggers and reactions?

How do you model emotional intelligence and positive self-awareness and foster that in your employees?

Resilience and Growth Mindset

Is Growth Mindset fostered in your workplace?

How can Growth Mindset improve your workplace culture?

Can people accept critiques/feedback effectively?

Are employees motivated to try new skills and persevere and learn from their mistakes without being chastised?

 Stress Management/Burnout

Does your workplace have a robust mental health and wellbeing action plan?

How does your workplace understand, identify and manage stress so as to avoid the components of burnout and illness?

If you found answering these questions challenging and would like to discuss how WWC can help you, then please feel free to take up an invitation to join us for a complimentary 30-minute consultation with WWC founder Selma Tron.

Selma looks forward to assisting you in customizing workshops to fit your unique requirements. In this, we’ll explore your objectives and collect valuable insights through pre and post surveys to achieve optimal results for your workplace. Together we can cultivate a positive workplace culture.

Contact:

E:  Selma@workwiseconsultancy.com.au

M: 0413 081 602

Website: www.workwiseconsultancy.com.au

References

Allen, K.-A., Kern, M. L., Rozek, C. S., McInerney, D. M., & Slavich, G. M. (2021). Belonging: A review of conceptual issues, an integrative framework, and directions for future research. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(5), 87-102. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18050087