Engagement is a word we use often in the workplace. For many of us, we take for granted that engagement is a “good thing.” There are tons of statistics out in the world that highlights the benefits of engagement:

• Companies with engaged employees see 233% greater customer loyalty and a 26% greater annual increase in revenue (Aberdeen)
• Higher workplace engagement leads to 37% lower absenteeism, 41% fewer safety incidents, and 41% fewer quality defects (Gallup)

What we have found, however, is when helping others prioritize and appreciate engagement, it is EVEN MORE helpful to dig into the specific actions that are more likely to happen when the workforce is engaged.

When we ask what engagement looks like, this is what we hear:

1. What do you see engaged employees doing? 
   • Smiling and greeting others (positive body language)
   • Showing up ready to work
   • Asking questions to better understand
   • Sticking to timelines (or communicating when they can’t)
   • Identifying AND solving problems
   • Going above and beyond their specific job role
   • Helping others
   • Giving others the benefit of the doubt
2. What do you see disengaged employees doing? 
   • Complaining
   • Avoiding work
   • Making errors
   • Spreading negativity
   • Working slowly
   • Not communicating important information
3. When we have more engaged employees, how does it help? 
   • Reduces stress
   • Saves us time
   • Improves the customer experience
   • Improves the employee experience
   • We are more productive
   • It feels better coming into work

 Employee engagement is more than a buzzword. It makes a tangible difference to cultures and results!

For additional information, check out the following resources:

RESOURCE: Impact of engagement exercise

RESOURCE: Power of the experience exercise