With all the focus on engagement scores in recent years, I think we’ve lost sight of what matters. Behind those percentage points are individuals.
When organizations talk about increasing engagement, they often reach for organization-wide initiatives. When the truth is, engagement rests largely at the team level and with the leaders of those teams.
People feel engaged when their leader understands their strengths and aligns them with their tasks.
When they recognize their accomplishments.
When they give them opportunities to develop new skills and invest in their growth.
When they build connections between them and others on the team.
When they remove barriers, streamline processes, and provide them with the resources to do their job well.
When they connect the work they do with the larger purpose of the organization.
And while we all want these things, they will look different for each one of us. Because we are different people.
The best way organizations can help increase engagement organization-wide is to give people leaders the tools, time, resources, and training they need not to go big, but to go small – focusing on each individual person and what they need to feel engaged.
A TEAM HUMAN CONVERSATION
Fight workplace zombies in your organization and join Team Human! Gather a group of fellow workplace zombie hunters to discuss our most recent blog post. Use the questions below to kick start your conversation.
How many of your engagement/culture initiatives are one-size-fits-all vs. individual?
What can you do to focus engagement more on individuals?
What do you need as a leader to help you shift your focus to engaging the individuals on your team?
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