How to Spot Engaged Employees & Create a Productive Work Environment

Employee engagement is the measurement of how satisfied an employee is with their job, how motivated they are, and how productive and effective they are at their work. Last week we discussed traits of disengaged employees and how they can negatively impact your business. This week, we’ll take a look at how to spot an engaged employee and how to inspire their growth within the company.

Gallup estimates that disengagement costs the US economy $450-550 billion each year. To help save your company time and money, here are a few traits of an engaged employee:

• Committed & Loyal. Engaged employees are fully committed to the success and the growth of the organization. They don’t seek employment elsewhere and they don’t speak negatively about the organization. Instead, they are consistently speaking highly of the company and referring others for employment.
• Feel Valued. The key to having an engaged employee is having an employee that feels valued and empowered. When employees are aware that they are making a difference, they are more inclined to exceed goals and strive to serve the business.
• Go the Nth Degree. Engaged employees give it their all 110% of the time. They are always willing to help and go the Nth degree when it comes to assisting the team and supporting the business.
• Present & Productive. Active employees not only have strong attendance at work, but they also are highly productive and yield high-profit results.

A team full of engaged employees has the potential to positively impact the overall business, revenue, and direction of your company. How can YOU create an engaged work environment?

• Be a Champion. Engagement starts at the top. Whether you’re the president, a leader, or a coworker, your team members look up to you and follow your example so you better make it a good one!
• Be Knowledge-Based. Utilize training practices with leaders to ensure that they can keep their teams engaged on a daily basis and that everyone is striving for the success of each individual employee and the business.
• Be Flexible. Each employee is unique, has a different Myers-Briggs personality type, and therefore has a different approach to engagement. Take the time to get to know your team and their learning style so you can be flexible with your engagement incentives.
• Be Persistent. Make engagement an open and honest topic and never stop talking about it. Even through busy and tough times, engagement should remain a priority and the company as a whole should always strive to be better and more efficient.