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How many people work in your organization? If you answered with a percentage, such as, “About half,” then you understand the question. Let me put it this way, What percentage of your workforce is fully engaged?

I’ve seen all kinds of numbers over the years bemoaning engagement percentages that hover around 30 percent. The “about half” quip, above, actually represents what I generally see as the percentage of those workers who have effectively checked out, who come to work to do little more than take up space.

Even more frightening, the rest, about 20 percent, are actively disengaged. That means actively doing damage to the organization.

Why High Engagement?

positive reinforcementI point you to an article in the Ivey Business Journal by Dan Crim and Gerard Seijts, “What Engages Employees the Most,” The authors offer persuasive statistics about the positive effects of employee engagement.

But to summarize, engaged employees are immersed in the interests of the organization, aligned with its goals and the goals of their team. They demonstrate enthusiasm for their work, the kind that attracts the best talent and performs above the expectations of the company’s clients.

An engaged workforce, to put it succinctly, does wonders for your organization’s bottom line.

How High Engagement?

Engaging employees requires leaders to demonstrate the highest level of engagement in their own behavior. Engaged leaders create an energetic environment, with an open spirit, and introduce fun too. As creative thinkers they are quick to recognize the contributions of others. All of these habits engender engagement in others.

An engaged leaders consistently practices the following seven habits:

  • Works with high energy and sincere passion
  • Respects and encourages creative responses to challenges
  • Allows employees to take a playful approach to work
  • Readily celebrates employee and team achievement
  • Stays opens and attentive to new ideas and suggestions
  • Remains comfortable with ambiguity and contradiction
  • Easily engages in collaboration and idea generation

 
If you’d like to talk about engagement and how you can raise its level in your organization, you can reach me at info@align4profit.com or 972-608-0400.
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Helanie Scott
Helanie Scott
Helanie (pronounced yeh-LAH-nee) Scott, CEO and founder of Align4Profit in Dallas, Texas, has driven stunning leadership and cultural transformations for an impressive list of organizations. She has mastered the ability to connect with her audiences in the boardroom, classroom, on stage, or in one-on-one coaching sessions. Helanie’s Align4Profit clients rave at the way her engaging programs freshen outdated mindsets and deliver results-oriented, aligned action.