How Great Companies Unlock Employee Potential for Superior Results
Gallup research shows that employee engagement strongly relates to key financial organisational outcomes in any economic climate. Yet, say the authors of this book, four out of every five workers worldwide are not delivering their full potential to help their organisations succeed. Within these, they distinguish between those who are enrolled but not engaged and those who are actively disengaged.
Believing that most employees genuinely want to make a positive difference, they go on to explore why the engagement gap exists and what can be done to close it.
5 keys to closing the engagement gap
Gebauer and Lowman identify five relevant areas that influence engagement and offer specific actions to "convert the enrolled and enlist the disenchanted". The result will be a population of people who, rather than being motivated by 'what's in it for me', come instead from the place of 'what's in it for us?'.
- Know them by spending time with people and, crucially, listening to them
- Grow them by fostering learning and providing personal career support
- Inspire them by cultivating pride in what they're doing and caring about them
- Involve them by welcoming their input and encouraging collaboration
- Reward them by giving appreciation and fair, appropriate benefits
Not just for senior leaders
The authors are adamant that managers and leaders at every possible level in the organisation can make a difference to the engagement levels of those around them.
So, although more senior people can have a more obvious impact on closing the engagement gap, each individual in the organisation can make a difference.
"To win in the marketplace you must first win in the workplace."Doug Conant