The Truth About Engagement

An engaged employee is someone who is genuinely and emotionally committed to the organisation and its goals. They identify with the organisation’s values and objectives and are invested in contributing to its success.

Does it really matter?

Yes! The many benefits they bring include lower employee turnover, active involvement in decision-making and problem-solving, fewer sick days, lower accident rates, enhanced innovation and agility, and higher productivity (companies with high employee engagement are 21% more profitable than those with low engagement*).

The latest Gallup survey on global employee engagement** makes grim reading, yet again, for the UK. The global average engagement level is 21% (31% for the US), with best-practice organisations reaching 70%. The UK’s figure is an embarrassing 9.63%, and declining! Is it any wonder that UK productivity lags so far behind that of its competitors?

Many business leaders think their people leave for more money. Whilst that is sometimes true, numerous surveys, e.g., by HBR, show that the most common reason employees leave, by far, is a desire to get away from someone, usually their line manager! Poor leadership, especially when combined with a toxic work culture (which is a tell-tale mark of weak leadership), virtually guarantees poor performance. It also adds to the stress and frustration of the leaders themselves.

The good news is that by developing effective leaders and high-performance teams, businesses that buck the trend can realise a source of sustainable competitive advantage (and have more fun tapping into it).

To do so, business owners and leaders must create and commit to a positive development plan; it will not just happen by magic. The principles and tools that can be used are usually easy to understand, but they require courageous and sustained commitment to bear fruit. The prize, though, is worth it.

For ideas on how to progress, check out the blogs on the Aspire MCL website*** or DM me for a no-obligation discussion.

#employeeengagement #leadershipdevelopment #teamdevelopment #aspiremcl

*What's Employee Engagement? Definition, Strategies & Examples

**Global Indicator: Employee Engagement - Gallup

***Organisational Development | Aspire Management Consultancy Ltd | England