Tackling Employee Engagement post-pandemic

Tackling Employee Engagement Post-pandemic | Mao Gen Foo

Oct  12 , 2022 

Effective employee engagement strategies will enable employees to enhance their performance and the organization as a whole, resulting in more profitability, better customer retention, improved talent acquisition, and retention, decreased employee turnover, and a safer workplace. Join Mao Gen Foo and Adrian Tan in a discussion about the real benefits of employee engagement.

Understanding Employee Experience

At its core, employee experience represents the intersection between employees’ expectations and the realities provided by their organizations. The gap between the two—when expectations surpass reality—is a crucial area for companies to address. This gap influences motivation and productivity, especially as employees continually recalibrate their expectations based on organizational offerings.

Key Strategies for Engagement

1. Regular Listening and Feedback
   • Different employees face diverse challenges, such as remote work productivity, commuting difficulties, or balancing personal responsibilities.
   • Tailored listening strategies at the individual level ensure that employees feel heard and valued.
   • Technology can facilitate the collection of meaningful data, enabling managers to pinpoint areas of dissatisfaction and act proactively.
2. Focusing on the Employee Journey
   • Engagement shouldn’t be measured sporadically but across the entire employee lifecycle, from onboarding to career development.
   • An approach akin to mapping customer journeys can help businesses understand pivotal moments in the employee experience, such as performance reviews or onboarding processes.
   • Continuous feedback mechanisms ensure employees have opportunities to share insights throughout their tenure.
3. Leveraging Technology for Insights
   • Tools like Qualtrics analyze feedback and surface key indicators of employee dissatisfaction.
   • Integrating employee experience data with customer experience data can reveal correlations, underscoring the link between a satisfied workforce and positive customer outcomes.

Leadership’s Role in Driving Engagement

Leaders play a pivotal role in setting the tone for an engaging workplace culture. By fostering open communication, empowering employees, and acting on feedback, leaders can create an environment where employees feel their contributions are valued. This cycle of feedback and improvement enhances engagement and productivity.

Benefits of Engagement for Employees

Engaged employees often experience:

• Self-fulfillment: A sense of accomplishment and purpose in their work.
• Enhanced confidence: A positive self-image fueled by meaningful contributions.
• Career growth: Greater opportunities for development and recognition.

Overcoming Challenges

For organizations starting their engagement journey, several pitfalls can derail progress:

• Lack of strategic focus: Without a clear understanding of their goals, companies may struggle to implement effective engagement initiatives.
• Ineffective data collection: Poorly designed surveys or feedback mechanisms can yield unhelpful data, leading to misguided actions.
• Inadequate follow-through: Employees lose trust when feedback is collected but not acted upon.

Emerging Trends in Employee Engagement

1. Hybrid Work Optimization
   • The pandemic has blurred the lines between physical and digital workplaces. Organizations are collaborating across departments to create seamless experiences for hybrid teams.
2. Focus on Well-being and Belonging
   • Companies are increasingly recognizing the importance of mental health and a sense of belonging in fostering a resilient workforce.
3. Moments That Matter
   • Companies are identifying key moments in the employee lifecycle—such as performance reviews—that significantly impact engagement and ensuring these are handled thoughtfully.

Final Thoughts

As Mao Gen Foo emphasizes, “There’s no successful company without employees at its heart.” Organizations that prioritize employee engagement, invest in regular listening, and adapt to emerging trends will foster a workforce that is not only productive but also motivated and fulfilled.

For those embarking on this journey, the key is to define a clear purpose, establish robust listening mechanisms, and act decisively on employee feedback. By doing so, businesses can close the experience gaps and set a solid foundation for long-term success.

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