We Raize The Bar

5 Secrets to Increasing Employee Engagement

Creating authentic relationships with your employees is essential for fostering a positive work environment and promoting employee engagement. Here are a few tips for building authentic relationships with your team:

  1. Practice open and honest communication: Make an effort to listen to your employees and understand their needs and concerns. Be transparent about company decisions and share information openly. Both parties need to be on the same page when it comes to communicating expectations. Those expectations are: Expectations the boss has of themselves, the expectations the boss has of the employee, and the employee has of themselves. These 3 need to be communicated openly. Live by the rule “Ask and you will receive” Recieve better communication, better understanding, and a better employee relationship.
  2. Show appreciation and recognition: Recognize and appreciate your employees for their hard work and contributions. Take the time to personally thank them for their efforts and let them know how much they are valued. Recognition must be these 3 things: 1: Timely – do not wait to recognize someone so it must be prompt and prioritized. 2: Specific – Did it meet an individual goal or did it impact customers, stakeholders, or the team? And lastly, 3: Individualized – Does the person like public praise or do they prefer it to be private? Does this person receive a promotion or more responsibility to show earned trust? Or is it the right move to give a bonus or pay increase?
  3. Encourage work-life balance: Help your employees strike a balance between their work and personal lives. Encourage them to take breaks, take time off when needed, and prioritize their well-being. Communication is important here as well. I enjoy motivating teams in this well-being area by simply saying “when you are at work I need you all in and here 100% full go, in that same breath when you are off and on vacation, I need you 100% present in your rest, with your family, and completely disconnected from work.” I conduct a training called “The 5 essentials to well-being and how to prevent burnout in the workplace” this workshop and keynote have become a fast favorite because of the impact it brings to individuals and their teams. When you can control and become keenly aware of your well-being and know immediately how to make adjustments is one heck of an ability and I can show you how to do that.
  4. Offer support and resources: Provide your employees with the support and resources they need to succeed in their roles. This might include access to training and development opportunities, as well as mental health resources. It is crazy to read a Gallup poll that shows a big part of employee engagement (or lack thereof) is due to employees not having the proper equipment (or new/updated equipment) that they need to do their job fast, effectively, and happily. Not having simple/basic needed equipment ushers in frustration and attitude which has a direct correlation with a person’s work ethic. Lack of support is the other half of this monster that shows itself in breaking down engagement. 51% of people who leave their job are due to the manager. The biggest factors have shown to be a lack of support and lack of recognition (which is number 2 on this list) if you break it down to one category both these factors fall under the category of appreciation. I have learned: What you appreciate, appreciates. I’ll let you marinate on that one for a while.
  5. Foster a sense of community: Encourage team building and collaboration among your employees. Create opportunities for them to work together, socialize, and build relationships outside of work. One of Gallups assessment questions for employee engagement asks workers if they have a best friend at work. Having someone they can trust, speak with, and who works well with them helps retention. There is an old saying I heard that says a person will come/attend for their friends but they will stay for the relationships they build through community. Not everyone needs or wants to be a leader but we do need to build people up. That can be accomplished through opportunities given to team members that ultimately build trust, camaraderie, and synergy.

By following these tips, you can create authentic relationships with your employees that help to engage and motivate them. Strong, positive relationships with your team can also lead to increased productivity, higher retention rates, and a more positive work culture overall. Understand that your work culture is your people. You can not just change the culture, you must pour into your staff, and they dictate and create your culture. And Leaders, you have the means to make this all happen. If you like to know more and want to contact me to work with you, your staff, or your organization, please email info@weraizethebar.com

Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!

Exit mobile version