Strategies Manager's Toolkit: Seventeen Efficient Methods to Enhance Workforce Involvement
Boosting employee engagement is crucial for overall job satisfaction and organizational success. Here, 17 experts from Our Website Coaches Council share simple, yet impactful strategies to increase employee engagement. These strategies not only improve individual performance but also strengthen the entire organization.
1. Active Listening with EmpathyListen to your team with genuine curiosity. Ask, "What's working? What's not? How can I support you?" When employees feel heard, they feel valued. Valued employees bring energy, creativity, and commitment, resulting in better results and strong performance. Active listening paves the way to trust and engagement[1][2]. - Andrea Wanerstrand, A3 Culture Lab
2. Recognize Contributions, Not ObligationsManagers can boost engagement by emphasizing the team's vision, connecting individual contributions to a greater purpose. Recognizing efforts as contributions instead of obligations fosters pride, unity, and motivation. This improves morale, strengthens teamwork, and drives overall organizational success. - Dr. Aman Alzubier, dramanalzubier.com
3. Leverage Intrinsic MotivatorsDrop the tiresome tasks and align work with Daniel Pink's intrinsic motivators: autonomy, mastery, and purpose. Cultivate a culture where team members actively support one another and feel empowered to achieve their goals. This approach builds a high-performing team that consistently delivers excellence[1][4]. - Gabriella Goddard, Brainsparker Ltd
4. Hold Regular ‘Create Huddles’Regularly engage in “create huddles” to gauge team progress, improve, and collaborate. Instead of telling or commanding, ask questions to encourage active participation, build trust, and nurture engagement. - Simone Milasas, Access Consciousness
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5. Communicate Clearly and RegularlyUse clear, frequent communication to keep employees informed, included, and empowered. Employees who are engaged drive performance and contribute to organizational success. - Karen Tracy, Dr. Karen A Tracy, LLC
6. Focus on Building Genuine ConnectionsBegin team meetings by checking in on personal and professional status. By recognizing team members as individuals with unique perspectives and emotions, managers foster trust, strengthen connections, and help teams excel. - Lisa Marie Platske, Upside Thinking, Inc.
7. Articulate Their ImpactDrawing connections between actions and outcomes helps team members understand their value and growth potential. By acknowledging each team member's contributions, managers foster engagement, enable change, and empower employees. - Andrea Wenburg, Voice of Influence
8. Encourage Problem-SolvingEmpower employees to identify and solve challenges, collaborating in the improvement process. This approach builds confidence, promotes team collaboration, and encourages a continuous growth mentality. - Karlo Tanjuakio, GLSS
9. Discuss Desired ImprovementsRegular team meetings can help identify and address primary concerns, fostering engagement and collaboration. By creating a safe, open environment, leaders can empower employees, boost morale, and fuel organizational success. - Mark Samuel, IMPAQ Corporation
10. Give Everyone a VoiceEmpowering team members with decision-making and project-leading opportunities allows individuals to follow their passions, gain recognition, and build engagement. By valuing contributions at various levels, leaders create a dynamic, forward-thinking team. - Susan Bortone, Noble Talent Group
11. Rotate Team ChampionsDesignate a rotating team "champion" to host regular improvement brainstorming sessions, reinforcing shared ownership and fostering camaraderie. This approach bolsters employee engagement, nurtures continuous growth, and encourages teamwork. - Kerri Sutey, Sutey Coaching & Consulting LLC
12. Schedule Short, Personal Check-InsRegularly scheduling 15-minute check-ins not only builds trust, but also addresses immediate concerns, enhances alignment, and demonstrates individual value. Engaged employees are more productive, motivated, and dedicated to the organization's success. - Jesper Bergstrøm, Jesper Bergstrøm APS
13. Support Team Members’ GrowthFrequently assessing individual growth potential in both professional and personal development ensures continuous improvement and drives overall engagement. When employees see their immediate supervisors committed to their development, their level of commitment to the organization grows as well. - Ed Brzychcy, Lead from the Front
14. Be Present and EngagedShow genuine care and concern by actively engaging with team members. When leaders physically and emotionally invest themselves in the team, employees become more engaged and connect with one another. Engaged teams cultivate a contagious, positive atmosphere. - Veronica Angela, CONQUER EDGE, LLC
15. Regularly Recognize ContributionsPublicly acknowledging both big and small achievements fosters a company-wide culture of recognition, motivation, and team building. Employees feel valued and their hard work encouraged, ultimately leading to enhanced productivity and collaboration. - Maryam Daryabegi, Innovation Bazar
16. Regularly Gather for Informal ChatScheduling informal gatherings to discuss work and life helps build trust, strengthen connections, and foster open communication, in turn boosting morale, motivation, and overall engagement. - Dr. Adil Dalal, Pinnacle Process Solutions, Intl., LLC
17. Ask What Team Members NeedEmpathically inquiry about how managers can support team members in their personal and professional development—not just as employees, but as whole individuals. By valuing and supporting each person, organizations foster growth, improve internal relationships, and build a more diverse, engaged workforce. - Ashley B. Stewart, The Corvian Group
[1] Active Listening: A Proven Way to Build Relationships, Communicate Effectively, and Inspire Trust. Highfield, P. B. & Greene, F. W. (2020).[2] The Collaborative Way: Role Playing for Effective Communication . Wheatley, M. J. (2016).[3] Coaching for Emotional Intelligence. Hargreaves, J., Eicher, K. (2008).[4] Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement without Giving In. Fisher, R., Ury, W., & Patton, B. (2011).[5] Modeling Effective Communication: A Guide for Facilitators. Unsworth, L. (2009).
1. The coach should consider incorporating intrinsic motivators such as autonomy, mastery, and purpose into their team's practice, as suggested by Dan Pink, to foster a high-performing team that values collaboration and continuous improvement.
2. To further engage the team and strengthen their commitment, the coach could invite team members to share their own ideas and experiences related to intrinsic motivators during a team meeting, providing an opportunity for open dialogue and collective problem-solving.
