EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT: ENGAGE, CONNECT AND PERFORM

employees are engaged, they are more motivated, focused, and productive, that can lead to positive outcomes for the organization.

This chapter will examine the relationship between employee engagement and productivity. Additionally, this chapter will explore the various factors that drive productivity, motivation, focus, collaboration, and innovation, as well as how employee engagement can positively impact these factors to drive organizational success.

TheRelationship Between Employee Engagement and Productivity

Studies have shown that organizations with highly engaged employees tend to be more productive, innovative, and successful than those with disengaged employees.Engagedemployeesaremorelikelytotake ownership of their work, take initiative, and be creative in finding new and better ways to do things. Moreover, employees are also more likely to remain withtheirorganizationlonger, reducingturnovercosts and increasing consistency and employment stability in the workplace. The following are studies that show a correlation between employee engagement and organizational success:

1. "The Impact of Employee Engagement on Performance”: A Meta-Analysis" by Julian Barling, C. Shawn Green, and Scott T. Blake (2012) found that organizations with higher levels of employee engagement have better financial performance and customer satisfaction.

2. "The Link Between Employee Satisfaction and Business Outcomes”: Evidence from Four Countries" by W.A. Cascio, J.F. Outtz (2010) found that engaged employees are more likely to stay with their organization, which can result in reduced turnover costs and increased consistency and stability in the workplace.

3. "TheBusinessCaseforEmployeeEngagement" by the Corporate Leadership Council (2003) found that engaged employees are more likely to be creative and take initiative, leading to increased innovation and productivity in the workplace.

4. "The Relationship between Engagement at Work and Business Outcomes”: A Metaanalysis" by Amy L. Kristof-Brown, Adam D. Kammeyer-Mueller, & Jenna L. Sharon (2005) found that engaged employees are more likely to take ownership of their work and be focused on achieving results, which can positively impact productivity.

Motivation

One key factor that drives an organization’s productivity is motivation. Engaged employees are more motivated to perform at their best and contribute to their organization's success when they feel a sense of purpose and meaning in their work. A famous quote by former President Theodore Roosevelt “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care” is a workplace best practice that I highly recommend to other leaders when engaging employees. Managers who adopt this workplacehabitcanhelpfosteraworkculturethatwill lead to higher levels of productivity and better performance outcomes. The following are some recommended action steps that leaders can take to help motivate employees:

1. Provide clear expectations: Leaders can clarify what is expected of employees in terms of performance and behavior. This helps employees understandtheirroleand whatthey need to do to be successful.

2. Encourageemployeeinvolvement: Leaderscan create opportunities for employees to be involved in decision-making processes and provide opportunities for employees to contribute their ideas and suggestions.

3. Providefeedback and recognition: Leaders can provide regular feedback and recognition for a jobwell done. This helps employees feel valued and appreciated for their contributions.

4. Offer growth and development opportunities: Leaders can provide employees with training, mentorship, and professional development opportunities to help employees grow and improve their skills.

5. Foster a positive work environment: Leaders can create a supportive and inclusive work culture that promotes teamwork, open communication, and a sense of belonging.

6. Align work with personal values: Leaders can help employees see the connection between their work and their personal values, helping employeesfeelasenseofpurposeandmeaning in their work.

7. Offer fair compensation and benefits: Leaders can ensure that employees are fairly compensated for their work and have access to benefits that support their overall well-being.

8. Encourage work-life balance: Leaders can support a healthy work-life balance by offering flexible work arrangements and encouraging employees to take time off when needed.

Focus

Another key factor that drives productivity is focus. Engaged employees are more focused on their work and less likely to be distracted by other things. They have a clear understanding of their role and responsibilities and are more likely to prioritize their work to achieve their goals. This can result in more efficient and effective use of time and resources, leading to higher levels of productivity. The following are some recommended action steps that leaders can take to help employees maintain their focus and drive work productivity:

1. Provide clear direction and goals: Set clear, measurable, and achievable goals for employees and aligntheirwork with theoverall objectives of the organization. This helps employees understand what is expected of them and helps them prioritize their work.

2. Minimizedistractions: Encourageemployeesto focus on their work by reducing distractions in the workplace. This includes minimizing noise levels, interruptions, and emails, and providing a quiet and focused work environment.

3. Manage workload: Ensure that employees are not overburdened with excessive workloads, as this can lead to burnout and decreased focus. Leaders should review and manage employees’ workload regularly and make necessary adjustments to avoid overloading.

4. Encourage regular staff breaks: Encourage employees to take regular breaks to refresh their minds and maintain focus. Leaders may include activities like stretching, mindfulness exercises, or stepping away from the desk.

5. Offer training and support: Provide employees with the training and support they need to perform their job effectively. This can include providingaccesstotoolsandresources,training programs, and regular feedback.

Collaboration

Collaboration is another important factor that drives productivity. Engaged employees are more likely to work well with their colleagues and collaborate effectively to achieve shared goals. They are also more likely to share ideas and knowledge, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. This can lead to increased creativity, productivity, and problem-solving capabilities within the organization. The following are some recommended action steps that leaders can take to increase collaboration among employees and help improve productivity:

1. Encourageteamwork: Encourageemployeesto work in teams and collaborate on projects. This helps build trust, foster a sense of community, and promote open communication and idea sharing.

2. Create cross-functional teams: Leaders should Encourage employees to work across departments and share functions to help break down silos and promote collaboration and knowledge sharing throughout the organization.

3. Encourage communication: Encourage open and consistent communication between employees, and across teams. This helps build relationships,promotetransparency,andfoster a sense of community within the organization.

4. Fosteraworkcultureofinnovation: Encourage employees to share ideas and promote continuous improvement. Recognize and reward employees who come up with new and innovative ideas that drive productivity.

5. Provide employees learning and development opportunities: Offer training and development opportunities to help employees expand their skills and knowledge. Encourage employees to seek out new learning opportunities, both within and outside the organization.

6. Provide resources for collaboration: Provide employees with the tools and resources they need to collaborate effectively, such as shared workspaces, collaboration software, and access to training and development programs.

7. Recognize and reward collaboration among employees: Recognize and reward employees who collaborate effectively and contribute to the success of the organization. This helps fosteracultureofcollaborationandencourages employees to continue to work together in a productive and effective manner.

Innovation

Finally, innovation is a key factor that drives productivity. Engaged employees are morelikely to be innovative and bring new ideas to the table. They are also more likely to be open to change and embrace new technologies and processes that can improve theirworkandtheorganization'soverallperformance. This can lead to higher levels of creativity and productivity, as well as increased competitiveness in the marketplace. The following are some recommended action steps that leaders can take to increaseinnovationamongemployeesthathelpsdrive work productivity: