Managers: These 5 steps grow employee engagement

Did you know that employees who aren't engaged cost the world $7.8 trillion in lost productivity? 

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To put that in perspective, that's 18% of their annual salary. Disengaged employees also negatively impact the company's time, team morale, and culture.

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A manager's employee engagement strategy can make or break a team. But when pizza parties and fancy espresso machines aren't enough, what else should you do?

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Understanding the manager’s impact on employee engagement

According to Gallup, managers are accountable for 70% of employee engagement variance. 

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Also, research shows that employees who would recommend their manager are 2.3 times more likely to be engaged. Because they have a significant impact, it's the manager’s role to create a positive work environment where employees feel connected.

5 simple steps to build employee engagement

Employee engagement strategies are essential, but implementing them can be difficult — especially for remote teams. This five-step plan will help you get started.

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Step 1: Communicate the company's vision and goals

Regular communication is essential for engagement. Employees need to know how their work contributes to the company's success.

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Why: When employees see the relevance of their work to a company's goals, they feel more connected to a purpose. This helps develop engagement and motivation.

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How: Meet with your team regularly to discuss the company's vision and goals. Ask employees questions and encourage them to give feedback. Use 1:1s to tell each team member how their work contributes to the company's success.

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Step 2: Develop relationships with employees

Developing positive relationships is a crucial part of any employee engagement solution. Feeling valued, seen, and heard is vital for employees. Otherwise, they'll be less likely to trust and respect their manager, leading to disengagement.

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Why: When managers take the time to get to know their employees, it creates a sense of trust and mutual respect. Research shows that employees with a good relationship with their manager are more engaged and productive.

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How: Ask about your team members' interests, families, and goals. Take the time to check in when they appear overwhelmed or bored. Consider including team building activities for work as a way to connect.

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Step 3: Encourage professional development through feedback

It's important for employees to feel like they are learning and growing in their roles and have a goal to strive for.

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Why: Employees can become disengaged when they feel stagnant. Helping employees grow in their roles and nurturing their strengths shows that you trust them and value their abilities.

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How: Hold regular one-on-ones with your employees to discuss their career goals. Offer feedback and help them identify potential development opportunities. When possible, provide resources and support to help employees reach their goals.

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Step 4: Give recognition and appreciation

Honoring accomplishments is one of the best ways managers can increase employee engagement. Managers show they value their work by taking the time to recognize employee achievements. 

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Why: Recognition and employee engagement go hand-in-hand. Research shows when you take the time to recognize your employees, they are 4x more likely to be engaged.

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How: Give recognition frequently and in various ways, both verbally and using an employee engagement platform. Try to be specific when you praise employees, so they know what they did that impressed you. Hosting an Appreciation Shower with Gomada is a great way to recognize remote team members.

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Step 5: Foster a positive work environment

An employee's involvement and engagement are greatly influenced by their work environment. A positive work environment is supportive, collaborative, and offers a good work/life balance — and even a little fun.

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Why: A company's work culture guides employees on what behaviors and expectations are essential to the company. Positive work environments can encourage motivation and commitment, increasing productivity and loyalty.

‍How: Lead by example. Be flexible and positive, and promote work-life balance. Encourage teamwork and collaboration, especially in remote settings. Virtual team building activities are useful for remote teams.

Managers' employee engagement toolset

There are many employee engagement apps available for managers and employee engagement programs. Here are a few of our favorites.

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1. Strengthen your team with Gomada

Price: Free - €7/mo per user

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Gomada makes remote team building easier using virtual activities developed with the University of Coventry. Connecting with your employees is easy with automated scheduling and pre-built activities for specific needs.

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2. Engage and communicate with 15Five

Price: Starts at $4/mo per user

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Using 15Five, you can increase transparency and communication among your team members. Engaging is easy with engagement assessments, performance reviews, and real-time feedback.

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3. Offer recognition and appreciation with Kudos

Price: Custom pricing

You can keep your team engaged anywhere with the Kudos app. Employees can recognize each other with points, which can later be redeemed for rewards.