In managing employees “engagement” is important to the success of the company.  Even though the term is being bounced around freely, the truth is it’s a powerful way to manage teams.  What does “engagement” mean?    Employees that are fully present to the success of the company produce results.  Managers can keep the employees busy, though it doesn’t mean they are engaged.  So how do you get an employee fully present?

For an employee to be engaged, they need to be part of the decision making process.   Yes, initially it is absorbs alot of your time, though when a manager embraces employees’ contributions in the decision making process, they are more involved and hence more invested in the results.

Managing employees is not an easy task.    Yet, when a manager is clear around their expectations and also respects each individual and their contributions, individual and team performance is elevated to a higher level.

Balancing performance expectations with listening and supporting your employees is the challenge for a manager.    Performance is the overall goal and employees need to be aware of what is expected of them.  Yet employees are people and each of them have different learning styles, ways they process their work, as well as personal issues that impact their performance.  Knowing your employees is the support aspect of your role.

The more people you have in the planning process it’s possible that it becomes messy…actually guaranteed.   Yet is messy disagreeable or just part of the initial process?  Can you benefit by having more people in the planning process?

Managers feel that including employees in the planning process only complicates it and they don’t see the value in adding them to the mix.

It’s been proven over and over again, the more a person is part of the process,
the more they own it.

Demands in the workplace are escalating as companies have to compete across the world.     Technology is a great tool for success within business, yet it turns everyone on 24 hours a day.    How does a manager balance the needs of the company with those of their employees?   Stress has become a regular visitor in most people’s lives and it does take it toll on the productivity of employees.

What is stress?  Merriam-Webster definition:  “a physical, chemical, or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental tension and may be a factor in disease causation.”

Finding talent is always a challenge, yet keeping them is based on a strong foundation of appreciation.    In managing employees, every effort you make to show your appreciation builds a strong team.    A simple “thank you” for work well done or scheduling time to listen to their concerns, interests and suggestions can say a lot to an employee.

On American Express OPEN Forum, “5 Easy Ways to Brighten Your Employee’s Days” by Jacob Harper: