Here are strategies and tips on how leaders can increase employee engagement:

Create a Vision   

A vision is very important in engaging employees. It is the reason why they come to work every day and it’s what energizes and motivates them. Without a vision, it is very difficult for employees to find meaning and in turn, motivation to work. Therefore, creating a clear and compelling vision will strengthen employee engagement.

Create Purpose   

Doing the same thing every day can get boring over time. When this happens, employees will not feel engaged. Creating purpose shows employees that they are part of something bigger, making them more productive and engaged in their work.

Create Meaning   

Employees want to feel like they are making a difference. Give them ways to make an impact on the company and the customers they serve. This gives employees a sense of purpose and meaning in their work, increasing engagement.

Create a Culture of Trust   

Trust is a key component in employee engagement. Employees need to trust that their leadership will look out for their best interests. This starts from the top down and creates a culture of trust throughout the organization.

Create an Inclusive Culture   

It is important to create a culture that includes everyone. This does not just mean a diverse culture, but a culture that includes all employees regardless of personal differences. Everyone has a role to play in company success, so creating an inclusive culture allows all employees to feel engaged and included.

Create Opportunity   

Employees want to know they have opportunities for growth within the company they work for. Help employees to develop skills and capabilities through training, development, and professional opportunities so they can advance within the organization.

Create a Culture of Accountability   

Leaders must hold themselves and each other accountable. Employees need to see this behavior from leadership to ensure that they are also held accountable. In turn, this creates a more engaged culture where employees feel like they are part of the team.

Why is it Important to Engage Employees?

Research shows that engaged employees are more productive, have higher job satisfaction, are less likely to leave, are more creative, and are happier at work. Increased productivity improves the bottom line. 

A study of one company found that there was a direct correlation between employee engagement and profitability. The more engaged the employees were, the more profitable the company was.

When employees are more engaged, they are more likely to stay at the company. Employee turnover is expensive. It costs an organization an average of 20% of its annual salary to replace an employee. When employees are engaged, they are less likely to leave, saving resources and money.

Engaged employees are also more engaged in their work. They are motivated to do their best because they feel like they are part of something bigger. This can lead to increased innovation and creativity in the workplace.

Besides, engaged employees are more satisfied in their job and turn, happier at work. They want to go to work because they feel like they are contributing in a meaningful way.