5 Simple Ways to be a More Engaging Leader
When it comes to employee engagement, leaders must accept and embrace the concept in order for the organization to succeed. It’s all too common that an organization is working towards increased engagement, but isn’t backed by a supporting leadership team, which ultimately leads to little or no improvement in engagement.
A leader needs to understand his or her personal commitment to engagement and any necessary changes that need to be made. While there are many ways a leader can be more engaged with employees, here are 5 simple tips leaders can start practicing today:
- Use positive language
Say what to do rather than what not to do. This simple change in language is perceived as positive and is more encouraging for everyone involved. - Listen to your employees
Use your ears and eyes; let your employees finish – don’t interrupt; respond to show engagement; ask questions to clarify. Finding different ways to listen to your employees will increase their engagement with you and prove your engagement with them. - Ask for feedback
Talk to your employees to find out how you are doing. Take those suggestions and solicit new ways of doing things in order to make progress on those changes.
Bonus Tip: Don’t ask for feedback if you aren’t willing to address it – the unintended consequence is disengagement. - Communicate
… and then communicate again! Communication is the cornerstone of engagement, and with so many different forms of communication, it’s important to “break through” the noise. It’s especially important to communicate during times of stress and uncertainty. - Demonstrate empathy
The number one driver of engagement is trust in leadership; the best way to build trust is to show concern about the well being of your employees.
Bonus Tip: Keep a positive attitude – your staff will mirror your behavior.
Leaders are essential in moving the needle to a more engaged workforce. In doing so, there are several simple ways to be a more engaged leader, which in return can increase the engagement levels of employees. While it’s a minor step in the realm of employee engagement, it’s by far one of the most important.
– Kaitlyn Carr, Manager of Creative Development, @EmplyEngagement, @kacarr789
