We spend approximately 92,120 hours of our lifetime at work (over 18-67 years), give or take a few hundred hours. That’s about 35% of our total waking hours at work.
If we consider that 69% of surveyed employees said that engagement was a problem in their organisation[2], then that means that for 69% of people out there, those 92,120 hours of their life are devoted to something that they aren’t necessarily engaged with – 35% of their waking hours are pretty much wasted (apart from the money they get – money is always fun).
According to a Canadian workplace engagement study conducted by Psyhometrics (why by the way is a fantastic study that I highly recommend you read), engaged employees work harder, have more of a willingness to do more than expected, have higher productivity rates and have better working relationships – pretty much everything an employer wants to see from their employees.
However, it’s all good and well to want something, but there is a big difference between wanting and doing. The key to an engaged workforce is to engage them (pretty simple I know!), but it’s knowing how to engage your workforce that is difficult. This brief ‘5-steps to an engaged workforce’ gives some insight as to how to achieve this.
1. Don’t be scared to try new things. If you hear about a company that throws a daily award ceremony for their employees and think ‘Wow! That’s quite cool – I wish I could do that’, do it. You can only learn, develop and grow from trying.
2. Say thank you more often. As a child we were all taught manners, so tap into your inner-child and start saying thank you. These two simple words work wonders in boosting morale, ultimately re-engaging your employees with their work.
3. Feedback. Dish out feedback on employee performance and their work. We need to know whether we are doing things right, and when we are doing things wrong. Being nervous to bring up the negatives is just as bad as not bringing up the good.
4. Let go of the reigns, step back, and let your employees do their job. No-one wants to be micro-managed. Step back, give your employees greater control over their work.
5. Lead by example. It’s all fine and dandy to say these things, but it’s when you practice what you preach that you’ll see things change.
An engaged workforce is not easy to obtain, but once you achieve it those 92,120 hours of your employees working life will be more worthwhile, and in turn they’ll be more engaged, happy, and willing to go the extra mile for your company.
Like what you’ve read? Let us help you achieve an engaged workforce. With a SaaS based platform, a supportive team of Motivation Coaches, and over 26 years experience – Power2Motivate are the industry leaders of employee recognition and engagement. Visit www.power2motivate.com to contact our team.
Author: Claydan Krivan - Senior Motivation Coach, London