Employee Engagement: Games We Play

September 22, 2009

So many give great lip service to the idea of getting the right people on the bus.  But then what?  How much time is spent getting the right people in the right seats based on what they bring to the game?  Oh, not important in this economy? Wait… is employee engagement… just a game?

Wearing ‘Em Out?

You’ve seen it.  The player drops in the coins, eagerly presses START and the ball appears.  The player slowly pulls back the plunger and POW! it slams into the pinball propelling it into the game.  It ricochets wildly, bouncing off bumpers, careening into drop targets.  Lights flashing, bells ringing, music heralding points, points and more points!  A popper shoots the ball out in the direction of the middle lane, drawing it down… down… down toward the inevitable end…

One down.  Two to go.  An exhilarating game.  Unless you’re the ball.  Sure, the frenzy can be energizing… for about 5 minutes. Is your employee engagement strategy like pinball or…?

Or Leveraging Strengths?

Or is it more like… chess.  Individual contributors working together to move forward directed by a singular goal.  It’s a complex game which the player leads leveraging each piece’s unique qualities to meet the ultimate objective.

Each piece knows its role, what the player expects of it and the value it brings to the game.  Using its natural movements and relying on other pieces to fulfill their roles. Each with an important role to play. All working strategically toward the same goal.

OK, OK.  Sure the analogy’s a little silly.  But you know exactly what I’m saying. Here’s the real game-ender: Engage ‘em now or lose ‘em later.  And here’s the data to back it up.

How to Keep ‘Em

Let’s get practical.  A few key steps to keep employees engaged in tough times:

Focus on Natural Strengths vs. Proximity

You’ve downsized, rightsized and have asked employees to supersize their jobs as a result.  This as a great opportunity to actually get more done with fewer people.  Take a good hard look at the total value each employee brings to your game: their skills, instincts and natural talents.  Be open to shifting job responsibilities based on these versus simply giving assignments to the next closest cubicle-dweller to that guy you had to let go.  And by all means, ASK THEM for their input.  If their work is comprised of things they are naturally good at doing they will get more done. Again, Gallup studies show that employees who are given the opportunity to do what they do best are 6 times as likely to be engaged in their jobs.

Personalize Recognition

Now more than ever you need to demonstrate — genuinely, authentically — that you care about your employees as human beings.  They’re working tirelessly for you; how will you let them know you appreciate all their efforts?  Give the working mom a Friday afternoon off for pampering or extra family time.  Supply the Starbuck’s junkie with his fix for the day with a $5 gift card.  A simple thank you note may make the biggest impact. The point is: make it meaningful to each individual and make sure the appreciation is indeed genuine. One-size recognition does not fit all.

Don’t Manage.  Coach.

A favorite resource is Unleashed! Expecting Greatness and Other Secrets of Coaching for Exceptional Performance by Gregg Thompson.  It teaches how to put the needs of the other person first and coach them for exceptional performance.  Traditional managers direct tasks.  The manager coach manages for results, allowing employees some freedom and flexibility in how the work gets done.

Communicate.  Communicate.  Communicate.

Check in with employees… often.  More often than usual especially if your organization has gone through significant changes (lay-offs, reorganization, leadership change, etc.).  One-time message delivery will not stick so if you’ve told them once, tell them at least another dozen if not 100 times.  Remind them why you each come to work every morning, reiterating through words and actions that it’s all about the mission of the organization.  Deliver bad news compassionately but purposefully.  Always answer “why” and “what’s in it for me.” Ask for feedback.  Involve them in the conversation.  You never know what time-, resource-, money-saving ideas are just waiting to be discovered.

So… ready for a game of chess?

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