by Pamela Jett, CSP
Employee disengagement is expensive!!!! According to a recent Gallop survey, disengaged employees cost employers 1 out of every 3 payroll dollars. A burned-out, stressed-out, and over-worked workforce is becoming more and more the rule rather than the exception. According to the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics latest numbers, the average number of hours an employee works is on the rise (3.6%), but output is not keeping pace – only a 2.6% rise during the same period.
Why do these numbers matter? If you are leading a team or a member of a team, many of your colleagues are contributing less and less and feeling more and more over-worked. Performance is suffering, customer service in impacted, and tempers are at the breaking point (recall the flight attendant who recently “escaped” his work environment by launching himself down the evacuation slide – beer in hand and luggage in tow.)
What can we as individual leaders or team members do about this challenging state of the workforce? Here are 3 simple things anyone, anywhere can do to improve employee engagement and morale.
1. Express Appreciation - It is a simple thing that can make a big difference. Say “thank you” regularly, communicate your gratitude when someone goes above and beyond, and take the time to brag about others in front of the boss or other power players.
2. Keep People Informed - Communicating to employees or colleagues the “whys” and the big picture can help them stay connected. When people feel like they are “in the loop” they are more committed. Be careful of having a “on a need to know basis” mindset. In this day and age when keeping everyone engaged is key, everyone “needs to know.”
3. Catch People in the Act of Doing Something Right - It can be very easy in tough times to stay focused on the negative: production goals that go unmet, errors rates that are too high, delays, and mistakes. Constant focus on the negative is demoralizing and unmotivating. Take time every day to praise a colleague or an employee for something they have done right – whether it is a big or a little thing. Making a conscious effort to see the positive will actually increase the number of positive things you see. It’s all about what we choose to focus on.
None of us can take a disengaged workforce and completely turn it around by ourselves. However, if we each make it a habit to practice the above 3 simple things, we will begin to make a positive impact in our own circle of influence.
Do you find this useful or thought provoking? If so, post your comments, tweet about it, and share it with your friends. For more information about me, Pamela Jett, and the communication tools I provide, please visit www.JettCT.com
Thanks Sarah – I just now picked up your comment. I will double check the link. Have a great day!