The 4 E’s of Employee Engagement (and why they are EVERYTHING)
As we already know, engaged employees are the driving force behind a successful and thriving organisation. But what exactly does it take to create an environment that fosters engagement? Where your people are excited to do what they do, collaborate with other and drive the success of the business. Allow us to introduce the 4 E's of employee engagement: Energy, Empowerment, Enablement, and Encouragement. Together, these four powerful pillars are the foundation of any successful engagement strategy. Let’s explore them in more detail…
Energy: Igniting the fire (and why it can even be self-fueling)
The driving force behind employee engagement, Energy reflects the enthusiasm, passion, and commitment employees bring to their roles. Organisations can support this by creating an environment that cultivates positive energy. How? Well, let’s say the employer sets the stage for the energy of the employee to be supported – reasonable working hours, flexible working practices, career development, mental and emotional support available – the list goes on. With more energy available to give to their job, the employee has more mental and emotional bandwidth to be engaged in what’s happening. And the magic of energy? A positive feedback loop of getting out what you put in – more energy in = better outcomes resulting in….a boost of energy! See, magic.
Empowerment: Trust and Autonomy Breed Engagement
True engagement goes hand in hand with empowerment. It means trusting your employees to make decisions, take ownership of their work, and providing them with the room to execute their own ideas. This starts with a culture of open communication, where employees are encouraged to - and feel comfortable - share opinions and ideas, where leaders demonstrably listen to their people, and where failure is reframed into useful data. Empower your employees to stretch beyond their comfort zones by assigning challenging projects, allowing them to learn and grow. And be there with encouragement if they falter on this quest – challenge but support.
Enablement: Inspire Growth and Development
This is especially important against the backdrop of the war for talent, where employees are increasingly asking ‘what’s in it for me?’. Investing in your employees' growth and development, for example through training, professional development opportunities, and resources shows a concrete commitment to allowing them to broaden their skill sets and enhance their capabilities. This, combined with regular performance feedback, coaching, and mentorship programs can also play a significant role in enabling personal and professional development. Show your employees that you are invested in their growth, and they will reciprocate by engaging in your business. A win-win.
Encouragement: Dopamine for the win!
We’re simple creatures after all, so recognition and rewards really do form the ultimate motivators - largely thanks to that magic neurotransmitter Dopamine (you can read more about it in this incredibly headlined article from Vice) And luckily enough, they might be some of the easiest motivators to implement. It can be as basic as simply taking the time to personally acknowledge and celebrate accomplishments, big and small. Don’t dismiss the power of a congratulatory email or a high five by the coffee machine (if you can get away with that). You can take it a step further by instigating a formal recognition program that acknowledges individuals and teams who consistently go above and beyond. Allowing a very public acknowledgment of their efforts and a chance to express genuine appreciation for their contributions. And of course, monetary rewards, incentives, and non-financial perks can also be highly effective tools.
As you can probably see, these 4 E’s all have the ability intersect and Enhance (see what we did there) each other so make sure you’re thinking about them all. And if you want to talk more about how to make sure you’re making the most of all the opportunities that each E offers, then you know who to call! Us, you should call us.