Douglas Conant, Founder and CEO of ConantLeadership said, “To win in the marketplace, you must first win in the workplace.” His statement highlights the importance of employee engagement in the workplace and how it contributes to the growth and success of any business. A business is incomplete without its employees, so it is essential to understand the importance of engaging and involving employees in the workplace. 

Importance of employee engagement in the workplace

Employee engagement refers to the commitment of employees towards their organization and its values and beliefs that goes beyond material and monetary gains and benefits. Engaging employees and involving them in daily operations is integral for every business as it contributes to workplace productivity, customer satisfaction and company culture. 

• Boosts productivity 

According to a study by Gallup, engaged employees are likely to outperform their competitors by 202%. Employee engagement not only helps employees determine a sense of purpose and belonging in the workplace but also encourages them to work better and more efficiently, increasing productivity. Engaged employees are more committed to the goals of the company in addition to their personal goals and work towards the same. 

• Increases customer satisfaction

Quartz suggests that engaged employees are, “more inclined to put in the effort that translates into buzzing productivity levels, a happier sales force, and a more credible product pitch.” A workforce that is satisfied and happy with its organization is likely to portray a positive image of the company, delivering fruitful results and enriching experiences. 

• Enhances company culture

When employees believe and resonate with the culture, mission, vision and values of their company, they are likely to be more satisfied with their work. Employees then experience lesser negative feelings and emotions and find work enjoyable rather than burdensome. This further creates a holistic company culture where employees are recognized and appreciated for their contributions. 

While it is essential to understand the importance of employee engagement in the workplace, it is even more important to understand how companies can make employees feel engaged and involved, encouraging them to contribute to the team. 

Ways to encourage contribution from the team

• Promote communication 

Establishing a safe and open communication channel will help leaders to share their expectations with the team. Additionally, it will also allow the team to share their concerns and queries with the leadership. This will further prevent miscommunication or communication lag within the organization. 

• Encourage ownership 

When leaders introduce a culture of ownership within the organization, employees will feel a sense of responsibility. This will help them to take up the onus of different tasks, realize their full potential and experiment with different roles and responsibilities. Moreover, this will build trust between the leadership and the workforce. The employees will also feel a sense of autonomy.

• Acknowledge efforts 

Acknowledging the efforts of the employees will help in building their confidence and encourage them to participate and share their ideas and thoughts. Appreciation and acknowledgement serve as positive reinforcement which will pave the way for a company culture that encourages curiosity and innovation. 

• Provide feedback 

Providing feedback ensures that employees are aware and informed about their strengths and weaknesses. The leadership must provide their employees with concrete and specific feedback to support them – what went wrong, what could have been improved, what results are expected, etc. Leaders can further support their staff by providing them with the required tools and resources to achieve the goals. 

Contribution from all employees provides different perspectives and ideas. This helps everyone in the company to develop a growth mindset and encourages active participation within the company. 

Way Forward

Empowering employees is not an overnight task; it requires leaders to invest their time and effort and create a continuous culture that encourages innovation, curiosity and initiative. When leaders provide their employees with effective feedback, establish a smooth communication channel and conducive environment, the employees thrive. Their efforts then get translated into increased productivity and profits for the organization.