What is employee engagement? 🤔
Employee engagement can be defined as the level of commitment, involvement, and enthusiasm that an employee has for their work and their organization.
Harvard Business Review Research shows that 92% of business leaders believe engaged employees show better performance, boosting the success of their team's performance outcomes.
Engaged employees are more likely to go above and beyond their job requirements, be proactive, and take ownership of their work. They also tend to have higher levels of job satisfaction, a better employee experience, and are less likely to leave their job.
The link between connection and employee engagement 🔗
Research by Gallup has shown that relationships and connections are critical in driving employee engagement. Connection refers to the sense of belonging and community that employees feel within their workplace. When employees feel connected to their coworkers and their organization, they are more likely to feel a sense of purpose and meaning in their work. They also tend to be more motivated and invested in the success of the organization.
A survey by Gallup found that employees who have a best friend at work are seven times more likely to be engaged in their job, are better at customer engagement, have an increased sense of well-being, and produce higher quality work.
Connection also plays a key role in reducing employee turnover. When employees feel connected to their organization, they are more likely to stay and contribute to the long-term success of the company.
The link between connection and employee performance 🔗
Employee performance is defined as the level of productivity and effectiveness that an employee exhibits in their work. High levels of employee performance are critical to achieving business outcomes and success.
When employees feel connected to their organization and their coworkers, they are more likely to collaborate and work effectively as a team. Connection also fosters a growth mindset, where employees are more open to learning and taking on new challenges. This can lead to increased innovation and better problem-solving.
Research by Quantum Workplace found that companies with a highly engaged workforce and high performance tend to have a strong culture of connection and communication. When employees feel connected to their organization, they are more likely to take ownership of their work and go above and beyond their job requirements. This can lead to increased productivity and better business outcomes.
Fostering connection in the workplace requires a concerted effort from both leadership and employees. Here are some strategies for fostering connection in the workplace.
4 strategies to improve connection in the workplace:
1. Build a positive workplace culture ❣️
Positive workplace culture refers to the shared values, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors that contribute to a happy and productive work environment, including elements such as:
- Communication & trust 💬
- Creativity and collaboration 🎨
- Regular feedback and recognition 🤝
- Work-life balance ⚖️
When companies prioritize building a positive work environment and culture, employees feel more connected to their colleagues and the organization as a whole, leading to better performance, productivity, and job satisfaction.
How does this improve employee engagement? A positive workplace culture builds trust and respect among employees. When employees trust their colleagues and feel respected, they are more likely to work together towards shared goals, leading to a more cohesive and productive team. A positive workplace culture also prioritizes work-life balance, which leads to more engaged and productive employees. When employees have time to pursue their interests outside of work, they come back to work refreshed, motivated, and ready to put their best foot forward.
Learn more 👉 Download our free eBook on how to improve your Company Culture in a distributed workforce.
2. Plan team building activities 🎊
Employees that work remotely may feel more isolated and disconnected from their colleagues. Virtual team building activities provide a collaborative opportunity for remote workers to socialize with each other in a fun and informal setting. By participating in these activities, employees learn to communicate better, work together, and build trust, all of which can improve collaboration and productivity.
Team building activities, like Boom Box, can help to fill the connection gap and create a sense of community among remote employees. By providing opportunities for employees to have fun and connect with each other over something universal, such as popular music trivia, team building activities can improve working relationships and job satisfaction for employees who don't see each other in person as often.
How does this improve employee engagement? Boom Box requires teams to use problem-solving skills to identify songs and artists based on limited information. While Boom Box is designed to be a fun team building activity, it also helps employees work together to solve problems in a fun and low-stress environment. Team building games help employees build more confidence in their teams and work-related abilities and feel more empowered to tackle challenges in their jobs.
How to get started 👉 Turn up the volume on engaged employees in Boom Box!
3. Encourage open communication 🗨️
Here are some effective performance management ideas to help encourage open communication in the workplace:
- Performance reviews: Through regular performance reviews, managers can discuss an employee's strengths, areas for improvement, and goals for the future. This provides employees with valuable insight into their performance and helps them to stay engaged and motivated.
- Regular feedback: Managers should provide critical, as well as regular positive feedback to their employees in one-on-ones and team meetings. Employees should also be encouraged to share their thoughts and ideas. This can be done through regular surveys, suggestion boxes, or open-door policies. When employees feel that their opinions are valued, they are more likely to be engaged and invested in their work.
- Maintain an open-door policy: Fostering an open-door policy means employees feel comfortable approaching their higher-ups or colleagues with their ideas and concerns. This builds transparency and trust in the workplace, leading to higher engagement overall.
How does this increase employee engagement? When employees feel that they are encouraged to express their thoughts and ideas freely, they are more likely to take ownership of their work and be more invested in their duties. Creating a culture of open communication is necessary to increase employee engagement and performance for the business performance overall.
Learn more 👉 Check out our Top 6 Communication Exercises for Teams!
4. Display thoughtful leadership 🧠
Thoughtful leadership is about being present, intentional, and self-aware in your interactions with your team. It requires genuine concern for the well-being and career development of your team members and the organization as a whole.
One way to cultivate thoughtful leadership is by taking a Mindful Leadership Workshop, where an expert will help your team define and practice mindfulness in the workplace. This workshop can help your team to understand the importance of mindful leadership and its positive results at both the personal and organizational levels.
How does this improve employee engagement? By practicing mindfulness regularly, leaders can enhance their ability to be self-aware, open-minded, and present in their interactions with their team. When employees feel their mental health is valued by their managers, they are more likely to be engaged and committed to their work, leading to improved performance and productivity.
How to get started 👉 Gather your leadership team for a Mindful Leadership Workshop!
Improving employee engagement with Confetti 🥳
When your company culture lacks connection, employee engagement and performance suffer as a result. Avoid disengaged employees by investing in a positive company culture that prioritizes regular team building activities, thoughtful leadership, and open communication. Confetti is here to help you improve your employee engagement through easy-to-book, live, and interactive team building activities.
Contact [email protected] to get started!
