Employees should be regarded as an organization's greatest resource. Employees power a business forward whilst also developing and designing new business processes.
When properly led and well-motivated, employees have the potential to truly change the world and go on to do great things. However, many businesses often overlook the contributions of individual employees which leads to a sense of disillusionment and unhappiness setting in.
In the long-term, this makes employee retention increasingly difficult and the business can find itself losing out in the war for talent.
This is why an increasing number of entrepreneurs and employers have come to realize that employee engagement is the way forward. Here we take a look at how organizations can better engage with their employees.
Wellness programs are company benefits that focus on the health and wellbeing of an organization's employees. These range from comprehensive programs that encompass optical, dental and even mental health care to more basic benefits such as gym memberships and health insurance.
While smaller organizations may not have the financial muscle of their corporate counterparts, they have the freedom and flexibility to be more in the benefits that they offer. For example, offering additional breaks for mental health reasons can go a long way towards improving employee morale.
Studies have shown that wellness programs have been met with overwhelming praise by the vast majority of employees. This is because such initiatives demonstrate the willingness of the organization to invest in the wellbeing and health of their employees.
Over time, this has the benefit of improving employee motivation and health which will undoubtedly raise productivity and profitability.
Time and time again, excessive red tape and micromanagement have been proven to be detrimental to employee morale.
All too often, leaders have trouble delegating tasks and letting go of control which results in employees feeling hamstrung and frustrated while preventing them from discovering their true potential. Consequently, the organization is left with incapable leaders and employees who often fall short.
A culture that encourages centralization and stifles initiative as seen in the Middle East has resulted in ineffective and incompetent Arab armies that often struggle to gain the upper hand against inferior opponents despite superior weapons and training.
Hence, rather than paralyzing employees with inaction, organizations need to make the shift towards empowering their employees. Offering employees the freedom to act autonomously allows them to develop new skills and unlock their true potential
To be successful, one has to be a leader and not a boss. The difference being that a leader sets the way forward and guides his/her team to success. On the other hand, a boss sets the way forward and takes a step back while the team carries him/her forward.
This is why leaders are often much more successful than mere bosses. To be effective, a leader needs to understand and recognize the challenges faced by the organization and its employees.
Instead of being a distant figure, leaders need to encourage open discourse between team members to determine the best course of action. Open-door policies encourage employees to approach their managers with any issues that they may have
Such an approach shows employees that their opinions are valued by the organization whilst doing much to bridge the gap between employer and employee, thus fostering closer relationships whilst improving employee engagement.
Loyalty is a trait much valued by both employer and employee alike. Oftentimes, managers and bosses fail to look out for the interests of their staff, merely treating them as just another resource to be used.
Because of this, organizations are at risk of losing talent to competitors on the lookout for new talent. This situation outlines why it is crucial for business leaders to have their employee's back.
A loyal employee is much less likely to resign or is lured away by a competitor whilst also reducing the risk of him/her becoming toxic/disengaged.
Employee engagement is a fine art that needs to be mastered if an organization is to remain competitive. If you follow these tips you will be going to get together with them easily, either going to the pub or going to watch an event like the Kentucky Derbv horse race.
Being an organization's most useful resource, it is vital that employees are engaged with and protected.