How to Boost Employee Engagement and Strengthen Relationships
By Amy Jacques
March 2024
Is your team highly involved in, and enthusiastic about, their work and workplace? Are they psychologically unattached to their work and company? Or are they resentful that their needs aren’t being met and acting out their unhappiness?
These are the questions Gallup asked to define employee engagement in a recent study, which found that 33% of U.S. employees are engaged, while 16% are actively disengaged, according to a recent Inc. article.
For employees who are feeling detached from their work, Gallup reports that one meaningful conversation per week with their manager — as short as 15 minutes — can help strengthen relationships and make them feel valued.
To help make your employees feel needed, wanted and motivated, first follow the rule of recognition. “Make it a point to note what a person is doing well, what you appreciate or what you can thank them for. Your praise doesn’t always have to be elaborate, but it should be sincere and specific,” the article says.
Offer to collaborate and work together with others. When co-workers felt strong relationships or some sense of connection with one another, they were more likely to stay at the company longer and recommend it to others.
It’s also important to clarify expectations and priorities with employees. Weekly check-ins can be beneficial and help keep everyone on track, productive and on the same page. The conversations and check-ins can be brief, as long as they are frequent and consistent. Continuous feedback can have a greater impact than a long one-off conversation.
In addition, try to get to know your teammates and employees. Ask them about themselves, what they enjoy doing, and what their strengths and weaknesses are. The answers may be helpful for workflow and help you leverage their strengths on various projects — you may get to know them better as well. “And doing so may not only increase the quality of the job, but also help motivate the person because they’re being seen and heard,” says Inc.
Here are some tips for putting these meaningful conversations into practice and boosting employee morale.
- Recognize and appreciate recent work.
- Offer collaboration and develop relationships.
- Clarify current goals and priorities.
- Keep sessions regular and brief.
- Emphasize employee strengths.
Amy Jacques
Amy Jacques is the managing editor of publications for PRSA. A native of Greenville, S.C., she holds a master’s degree in arts journalism from Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in advertising from the University of Georgia’s Grady College and a certificate in magazine and website publishing from New York University.
