Simple steps TO INCREASE engaged employees

Companies with highly engaged employees share an enthusiastic energy for the organization. This enthusiasm creates stronger commitment levels, better performance, higher productivity, and increased  profits. Developing a strong culture is key to increasing the number of engaged employees in your organization.

Try the following ideas to improve your organization's culture and increase employee engagement:

Coach, train and develop direct reports.  

A recent study shows that managers who are most successful spend 6 hours a week with each direct report, see Leadership IQ.

Employees who spend the optimal time with their managers are 29% more inspired, 30% more engaged, 16% more innovative and 15% more intrinsically motivated than those who spend only one hour per week.

• Schedule weekly face-to-face meetings with direct reports to discuss problems or concerns.
• Plan quarterly lunches (or latte's) to build trust and rapport.
  
• Occasionally communicate using email, offering words of encouragement.

Increase knowledge of operations.

Some of the best leaders purposefully take time each week to mingle among all the team members. Walt Disney, the creator of Disneyland, used to walk the Disneyland Park everyday on his way to his office. This simple routine gave him the opportunity to stay connected.

• Visit operations and departments regularly.
• Periodically attend department meetings to show your support.
• Occasionally eat lunch in the breakroom.

Hire based on organizational vision, mission and values.

Organizations with highly engaged employees determine their hiring decisions based on attitude, not skills. Southwest Airlines spends extra time finding the best employees, and their average turnover rate is a low 4-5% (in an industry that is almost double that), see Loyalty Rules.

• Communicate mission and values; limit hiring to candidates who share the organization’s mission and values.
• Implement a conversational interview process so candidates can share their career goals and passions.
  
• Take candidate to lunch or coffee. Introduce them to the team.

You can develop passionate employees who are committed to your organization’s success by incorporating these ideas used by successful and profitable organizations. The result will be employees who are engaged in their work and committed to the organization’s success.

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