Are you passionate about the work you do? Do you find the work you do meaningful? Increasingly, employees are seeking meaning in their jobs and want to know how the work they do matters on a larger scale. The more an employee connects to the company mission, the more they will put an effort in every day to work toward its success.
As a leader, how do you ensure your employees are passionate about the mission of your organization? By giving them direction, they will know where to focus their efforts on a day-to-day basis, as well as where they’re headed for the long-term. With a clear vision of the mission and values of the company, your employees will come into work ready to give their all. Every business wants employees that stand behind the company mission but, how does a business achieve this? Here are three ways to engage your employees.
Ensure leaders are living out the company mission. A company is living out its mission statement if every staff member, from entry-level employee to CEO, can describe what the company stands for. If you want to have a purpose-driven company with engaged, loyal and committed employees, ensure your organization has a clear mission and that it is taken seriously by all. For example, Starbucks has a clear mission, “To inspire and nurture the human spirit — one person, one cup, and one neighborhood at a time.” The company walks the talk for its mission through its commitment to ethical sourcing of coffee, quality healthcare, and fair wages.
Leverage personal strengths of employees. Engagement happens when employees are assigned to roles where they excel and where their talents are leveraged. Ensure that you not only hire the right people but that the people you hire are in the right roles. Once you identify the right people, your organization can create opportunities to empower them by giving them the proper resources, guidance, and opportunities to fulfill their own passions and, personal missions. One way to measure talent is using CliftonStrengths which can help identify core personality strengths, passions, and interests.
Opportunity for feedback. It is important for employees to have their suggestions and ideas heard. How can you give your employees the space to give feedback? Tools such as a suggestion box or time for a Q&A after a meeting are ways to get employees engaged. In 2011, for example, British Airways gave their employees an opportunity to submit ideas to an online suggestion box on how to save on fuel costs. The company saved approximately $750,000 a year from an employee suggestion. In companies where employees thrive, leaders strive to give employees the opportunity to share ideas, to get involved, and the time to do great work. Creating a workplace where employees are engaged, happy, and committed to their work is worth the investment. When people find their work meaningful, they will have a sense that it means something to them personally and that will result in better performance.
CoachDiversity Institute can help you build your employee engagement strategy and ultimately improve your bottom line. Contact us today to learn more.