Because there are so many great articles on employee engagement and creating a culture of appreciation in the workplace, I want to share the best of these resources with you. Here are my favorites from this week. I have included some of my thoughts on these gratitude strategies (“Grategies”) and would like to hear your comments too.
12 Ways to Be an Engaged Employee by Hannah Morgan
(Jobs.AOL.com) “But it isn’t just happiness that matters. There’s a difference between happy and engaged employees. Maren Hogan, CEO of Red Branch Media, writes in a 2014 Forbes article: “Your most engaged employees might irritate you a little bit. They may propose wild ideas, get frustrated when projects are derailed and volunteer for everything. They may rarely seem super happy, because they are busy pushing the envelope.” These are the types of people you want, she says.”
My Thoughts: This article has a different focus – it gives employees the tools they need to make the decision to engage at work. Nicely done!
These States Have the Most (and Least) Engaged Employees By Leah Arnold-Smeets
(Payscale.com) “To give you a better idea of what the three categories in the study represent, here’s a rundown of each: Engaged: You are passionate about your work and your workplace; Not engaged: You’re “checked out” and don’t care about productivity or performance so much; Actively disengaged: You hate your job and couldn’t care less about work. What’s worse, you try to bring others down with you, because misery loves company.”
My Thoughts: Although Ohio was not in the bottom three, it did not rank well in the study. My mission of “changing the world, one ‘thank you’ at a time,” needs more focus in my own home state. How about it, Ohio?
10 Affordable Ways to Show Employees Your Appreciation by Emma Siemasko
(Grasshopper.com) “82% of professionals say they would be more loyal to an employer if they had more flexible options. And, according to a study by FlexJobs, 74% of people want these flexible work options so they can maintain a healthy work-life balance. And being flexible won’t cost you. In fact, most companies save money when they’re flexible, especially if they allow employees to work from home.”
My thoughts: When you are willing to work around your employees’ schedules, you show them that their life outside of work is important too. You reduce their stress levels and gain more loyal employees.
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Lisa Ryan, creator of Grategy® is a professional speaker and bestselling author who focuses on workplace culture. For more information contact (216) 225-8027. For information on Grategy® programs please visit http://www.grategy.com. Follow on Twitter: @Grategy