Employee Engagement - The Human Touch!

Strengthening employee engagement is crucial for the success of any organization. While metrics and surveys are helpful in identifying areas that need improvement, they alone won't create a lasting impact. What's needed is good old-fashioned person-to-person interaction. Building relationships with your employees is key to creating a positive and productive workplace culture. So, make sure to prioritize face-to-face communication and invest in your team. Remember, happy employees lead to happy customers and a thriving business.

Scary as it sounds to some, you will need to talk, engage and interact with your employees every step of the way.

Here are my top tips to increase employee engagement...

1. Set clear expectations of them and for them. Employees like to know what is expected of them and from them. Remember these are not moving targets and should be discussed with each employee. Changes should also be discussed in a timely manner and not just at appraisal time.

2. Give them the tools to do their job. These tools do not need to be the latest technology or fancy gadgets. Employees who feel they have the tools to do their job effectively and efficiently are more engaged.

3. Give them progress updates. Tell them how they are doing - what is going well?, and what could be going better?

4. Give them encouragement. This is not to be mistaken for positive feedback. Encourage them to keep pushing on, take on a new project, challenge themselves personally or professionally. Knowing that you are behind them, will keep them not only engaged but also motivated.

5. Praise them. Everyone likes to hear when they did something well. Tell them!

6. Give them opportunities. Opportunities to grow, to learn or to develop. Maybe give them a stretch project or let them lead a team meeting. To add to this, then be a part of their growth or show an interest. Opportunities do not always mean promotion or reward.

7. They understand the role they play in the company, and its success. They understand what they do, and why it is important.

8. Engaged employees feel they have an environment where they can be themselves. Be the catalyst to allow this and don't stand in their way.

9. Actively promote teamwork, events and the social aspects of work. Employees who have friends in work are always more engaged. (Just know where to draw the line.)

10. Get to know them. Ask questions. Be more social. Employees who feel their manager has an interest in them or cares about them, drastically increase engagement.

Ask their opinion. Employees like to feel like they have a say. Listen to them, take their feedback - good and bad. Employees who feel like they shared some of the decision-making increase engagement.