School is back in session for many students and one of my best friends was recently hired to teach fifth grade. When asked if fifth grade was a tough age group to work with she said, “Not really. The hardest part is keeping them engaged all day.”
Her comment brought to mind how important engagement is – for both students and adults in the workplace. For students, if they are not engaged at school they will lose interest and not complete the work required to succeed.
The same goes for employees at any company; if an employee is not engaged, he/she will fall behind and productivity will suffer.
So, let’s take a mental journey back to fifth grade. What motivated you then?
Below you will find some easy staff engagement ideas that can be used in your workplace to keep your employees on track and boost morale every day:
1. Food – Food brings people together, encourages conversation between co-workers and is a great positive reinforcement when your employees have worked hard. Or, surprise your employees with a treat just to show you care.
* Extra tip – Be conscientious of all employees. If you have some that are vegetarians, have food that they can still enjoy. Or, if you know some people are dieting, offer fresh fruit salad or a healthy snack.
2. “Caught ya being Good!” – If one of your employees or a specific team does a great job on a project, send an email out to all employees, or bring up the good news at a company meeting. For example, if one of your employees closes a big sale, send out a memo highlighting that achievement.
* Extra tip – Don’t forget that sometimes the jobs that keep the company running smoothly often go unnoticed. Was your office spotless this morning thanks to your cleaning staff? If so, let everyone know so they can take notice and spread their thanks as well.
3. Make time for fun – Celebrate holidays, birthdays and anniversaries. These celebrations don’t have to be expensive or over-the-top. Instead, have a pot luck lunch to celebrate Thanksgiving, or bring in cookies for a coworker who just got engaged.
4. Say “Thank You” – Employers need to express their gratitude daily. Get to know your employees and be sure to thank them for the work they do for the company. Understand that even a small “thank you” or “I appreciate you” can be the difference between OK work and stellar work.
5. Be aware – Don’t be afraid to ask employees what drives them and put into action their thoughts and ideas. Also, be aware of employees who aren’t team players. If someone is negatively affecting the company culture, it might be time to have a discussion with that employee and try to find out what they may need in order to be more engaged.
