The business buzz word today is engagement. As a result there is more information about it than we can poke the proverbial stick at. Most of it in my view is nonsense, or so complicated very little happens that is of real value.
I am staggered by the number of companies who do engagement surveys of all shapes and sizes and then do nothing about the insight gleaned. I am equally staggered when I ask audiences if some kind of engagement diagnostic has been used in the past year and only around 40% say yes. Ignorance is not bliss is this area.
True engagement of stakeholders is actually simple. Appreciate people for the one-of-a-kind beings each of us are. And appreciate the planet. She is a stakeholder too!
The eminent psychologist William James observed "the deepest human craving is to be appreciated".
In my work over the past year or so I have adapted 25 years research by the Gallup organisation, involving interviews with more than a million people to help my clients appreciate people. I explore with clients what I call the famous 12 (with much thanks to Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman).
The famous 12
When we can say 'Yes' to the following 12 statements we can be almost certain we are happy at work:
- I know what is expected of me
- I have the materials and equipment I need to do my work right
- I have the opportunity to do what I do best everyday
- In the last 7 days I have received recognition / praise for my good work
- I have someone at work who cares about me as a person
- I have someone at work who encourages my development
- At work my opinions count
- The strategies of our workplace make me feel important
- My co-workers are committed to doing their best work day in and day out
- I have a best friend at work
- In the past 3 months I have talked with someone about my progress
- At work I consistently have opportunities to learn and grow
Could you say yes to these 12? Would your employees say yes?
Buy Ian Berry's Audio Seminar CD from the Resource Centre:
What Real Leaders Do And Fake Ones Don't