Get your employees in the game

It seems there is a published report almost every month telling us the dismal tale of engagement among today’s workers. The numbers I have read run as high as 67% of employees who are not engaged in the job. It is mindboggling to think that almost seven of 10 workers are not engaged in their work. If these numbers are even close to being true, the cost to business is staggering.  The causes can be many. This post will not discuss the problems of worker engagement but will provide five ideas that may help your team be in the game each and every day. Here are my highfives concerning staff engagement:

1)    Value every employee.  When a person feels valuable and respected by management, productivity and engagement can soar.  Show them you care, and they will pass it on

2)    Have a semi-regular all staff meeting.  No doubt this is hard.  You still may need to split the staff into two meetings.  During each meeting be sure every employee speaks.  One of your most valuable questions you can ask is: “what do you think?”

3)    Once a quarter have a staff meal.  I suggest you do this away from the property if possible.  Getting people to know each other as people will help create a team spirit.  Please attend every meal.  They need to get to know you too

4)    Talk to your team.  Move away from the computer and invite team members to take a walk with you around the property.  Whether one on one, or as a small group, take a walk to move away from technology and talk through work issues.  Leave the phones inside the clubhouse

5)    As often as you can, set up a staff Q & A.  Set up a room where staff gathers to ask you and other club leadership about the club, current results, future plans, and other business-related subjects.  When you let people in, they just may take ownership.  These Q & A events may become your most popular gathering.

  There are no deep secrets to engaging people, especially employees who want to do a good job.  The well managed companies talk to their people, share information, and look to the team for opinions and ideas.  They insist people “bring their brains to work.” We have all seen the other side, where employees could care less about their role, the customer, or the business in any way.  At the same time, management is just not visible. It takes time, attention, and care to create a successful business.  You can never mail it in.  When your employees know they are important to you and to business success, good things will happen. We have all seen it. 

Jack Dillon is an Orlando-based writer of the highfives series and is a speaker and an expert in hospitality, merchandise and people coaching. He has been in this industry for more than 45 years. Contact him at 407-973-6136.