Boosting Employee Engagement and Retention: Strategies for Today's Leaders
In today's world, it's no surprise that employee engagement is facing significant challenges. As leaders, whether you're a boss, CEO, or team leader, you might have noticed a dip in your team's performance compared to two or four years ago. You're certainly not alone. Many organizations are grappling with low employee engagement, especially with the increasing prevalence of remote and hybrid work models. It's crucial to dive deeper into the root causes to find effective solutions.
First, let's address the elephant in the room: we've all been through a tough few years, and it's natural for apprehension to linger. People are hesitant to set goals, and there's an undercurrent of worry about future disruptions, both at work and in personal life. While 52% of working Americans report improved happiness over the last year, this means there's still ample room for progress. External factors like global conflicts and presidential elections undeniably impact happiness and engagement at work.
The key issue here is fear and a lack of purpose. An overwhelming 87% of working Americans agree that a strong sense of purpose directly correlates with their happiness. When your team is not content, it results in decreased motivation, productivity, and mental well-being. It's imperative to ponder the cost of this disengagement not only on team productivity but on the overall organization.
But let's not despair! There are actionable steps you can take to foster engagement and enjoyment at work:
Prioritize Mental Wellness: Offer mental wellness benefits and encourage their use. Be it coaching, therapy, meditation rooms, or simply encouraging breaks, it's crucial to show genuine care for your team's mental health.
Provide Mentorship Opportunities: With 70% of working Americans expressing that a mentor would boost their happiness and resilience, this could be a game-changer for your team. Mentorship facilitates cultural integration, exposure to various company aspects, and prepares individuals for advancement.
Host Live Events: Bring your team together for resilience-building and team-building activities. A significant 60% of employees indicated these would enhance workplace happiness and resilience.
Invest in Leadership Development: Remember that 69% of working Americans feel their manager significantly influences their workplace resilience. Embrace personal growth to become a supportive, honest, and team-oriented leader.
By leading with resilience and emotional intelligence, you have the opportunity to cultivate a happy and healthy team. There's much more to share from our research on leadership and employee engagement, featuring fascinating insights across genders and generations. If you're curious to delve deeper, visit speakmichelle.com/research and stay tuned for more insights in our upcoming videos. Let's create a thriving work environment together!
Cheering you on,
Michelle