Employees set their own rules for engagement
The power of engagement has shifted from leaders who originally defined it to the employees who live it every day…Traditional conventions of engagement are based on a definition by leadership of how employees should act, contribute, accept and appreciate. These workers have, in turn, set their own rules that business must follow if it wants to reach them, motivate them, solidify their commitments.
Today, in every corner of the business world, leaders measure, study and strategize how to improve their engagement scores. But how many actually ask employees what it really takes to engage?…A few weeks ago, I interviewed several hundred employees of a major global organization concerned about employee engagement.
NOTES
Following are the rules that emerged…I have changed the titles
Listening
As one employee said, “I want leaders to hear what I say without immediately preparing their response to my words.”
Co-creation/Autonomy
…actively involving employees in the development of products and services. They cited the daily interactions they have with customers – and what they learn from those encounters – as credible contributions they could make if anyone offered them a chance to get involved.
Transparency
Employees are naturally cynical about what they are told, especially through formal media, as they envision all the “handlers” carefully crafting and spinning to avoid sharing the real facts. But they don’t see how they can truthfully commit to engage in an organization that isn’t willing to be transparent with them.
…they know that companies have to make difficult decisions. They simply want to know the rationale for actions and the reasons behind the tough calls. And they want to understand the context for how leadership makes choices. What they fear, however, is leadership hibernating in its top-floor cocoons, becoming immune to what real people experience.
Flatten the hierarchy/Status
Employees savor the opportunities to informally interact with leaders and managers in discussions filled with questions, opinions, debate and mutual agreement.
- D. Mark Schumann
Related
(Source: simply-communicate.com)
