Here’s a hint—it goes beyond surveys, incentives and getting-to-know-you games
When most people think about team engagement, visions of day-long retreats, boxed lunches and “Hello, my name is…” sticky tags might elicit feelings of fun and enjoyment… or absolute dread. While becoming chummy with coworkers outside of the office can break the ice and build friendly bonds between teammates, could there a better way for leaders and human resource managers to dig in and addresses real challenges and potential opportunities the group might be facing?
According to findings by Gallup, Forbes reports, “…the most successful organizations make employee engagement central to their business strategy. They give employees clear expectations and provide them with the tools and support to do their best work.”
A focus on true team engagement is a long-term, strategic investment centered on the realities of the workplace that seeks to maximize the collective effectiveness of the team. And engaged teams turn profit because they are ready and eager to work. Forbes goes on to share, “Those teams who score in the top 20% in engagement realize a 41% reduction in absenteeism, and 59% less turnover. Engaged employees show up every day with passion, purpose, presence, and energy.
Start the journey to long-term engagement
Although holding an afternoon training or hosting a happy hour is often welcome by employees, giving them an environment that embraces their differences, draws insights from diverse perspectives and builds shared understanding can truly motivate them toward achieving greater daily success. At Crosworks, our Team Engagement services increase team effectiveness through tailored methodologies that assess and understand individual strengths, needs, and workplace behaviors and how these individual traits affect the work of others.
SHRM shares that Quantum Workplace, the research firm behind the “Best Places to Work” programs across the U.S., has identified drivers of employee engagement that have the greatest impact. These include a “commitment by leaders to make their workplace a great place to work, an understanding by employees of how they fit into the organization’s future and an organization that makes investments to make employees more successful.” Taking the important step to formalize and introduce a team engagement strategy—in and of itself—motivates employees!
Leverage differences, maximize effectiveness
Our Crosworks professionals has proven experience working with newly formed teams, executive teams, specially assembled teams, and those teams who have experienced significant change or are seeking better collaboration and improvement. We dig deep to nurture understanding at the team level, build appreciation for each other’s differences, and help members understand how to better leverage their differences to improve team performance during times of growth, challenge or change.
When organizations and their teams are open-minded, candid, self-motivated and ready to take action toward enriched team engagement, we’re ready to guide the discernment of strengths and alignment of members towards common goals. We’d love to share the great success stories we’ve experienced when your team understands and leverages their collective power to align on the three pillars of a high-performing team: Purpose, Clarity and Psychological Safety.
If your organization is seeking to boost performance and profitability through a better engaged team, reach out and learn more about Crosworks Team Engagement and other organizational talent services.