quintanaroo-birhday-cake-slice-800-x-600-visual-hunt-2416470297_cfbb6c0fa7_qHow many proverbs have you heard this week? It is interesting to notice how often we use them in everyday conversation. “Proverbs are old but familiar sayings that usually give advice.”1 In this post, we’ll consider 5 common proverbs2 and how they apply to employee engagement.

 

 

Actions speak louder than words

As an employee or a manager, what you do is more important than what you say. Words are thrown around to appease others, to avoid an argument, etc.  Words without actions mean little.  Taking action to follow-through on what you say builds trust.  It is trust that is the basis of the employee-manager relationship. Better employee-manager relationships are a key factor in employee engagement. “Gallup estimates that the manager accounts for at least 70% of the variance in employee engagement scores across business units.”3

 

 

Give credit where credit is due

It is important to acknowledge accomplishments big and small. After all, you get what you reward. For most, unfortunately, there is a lack of recognition in our personal and professional lives.  “More than ever, companies are focusing on culture as a competitive differentiator. They’re seeing first-hand how cultivating the right culture can engage, nurture, and attract employees and ultimately, increase bottom line business results. And for more companies than ever before, that best-in-class culture is predicated on recognition and appreciation.”4 

 

 

If a job’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well

If you decide to do something, do it as well as you possibly can. You, as an individual, play a role in the advancement of your career. “[O]ne important factor of engagement that most companies tend to overlook: Unless employees assume some measure of responsibility for their own engagement, the efforts of their organizations, leaders, managers and teams may have a limited effect on improving engagement.”5

 

 

Live and learn

Continually increase your knowledge through your experiences. “Knowledge is the primary source of value in our world today. Your ability to expand your mind and devote yourself to lifelong learning is the key to breaking any success barriers that may be in front of you.”6 “’Learning opportunities are among the largest drivers of employee engagement and strong workplace culture – they are part of the entire employee value proposition, not merely a way to build skills’. – Deloitte”7

 

 

The best things in life are free

The most satisfying experiences do not cost any money. In terms of employee engagement, there is one gift that is free: Feedback. Employee engagement is based on feedback. Everyone needs feedback, most of us welcome it, and yet, we rarely seem to get enough of it. Providing employee feedback usually falls to your direct manager. Managers play a vital role in companies and are often underappreciated, undervalued, and one of the most underdeveloped groups. For the few managers that recognize this, they should empathize with their direct reports and work towards improving their own employee feedback process.

 

 

 

What is your favorite proverb? How does that proverb apply to employee engagement?

 

 

1 “Popular Idioms and Proverbs.” Idioms and Proverbs. Sandbox Networks, Inc, n.d. Web. 21 Sept. 2016.
2 “Common Proverbs Collection.” Gongwai.xaufe.edu.cn. Gongwai.xaufe.edu.cn, 22 Jan. 1999. Web. 21 Sept. 2016.
3 Harter, Jim, and Brandon Rigoni. State of the American Manager: Analytics and Advice for Leaders. Rep. Washington, DC: Gallup, 2015. Print.
4 “Findings from the SHRM/GLOBOFORCE Employee Recognition Survey: Culture as a Competitive Differentiator.” Globoforce. Globoforce Limited, 2015. Web. 18 Nov. 2015.
5 Royal, Ken, and Susan Sorenson. “Employees Are Responsible for Their Engagement Too.” Gallup.com. Gallup, Inc., 16 June 2015. Web. 26 May 2016.
6 Tracy, Brian. “Discover the Importance of Lifelong Learning.” Brian Tracy. Brian Tracy International, 2016. Web. 30 June 2016.
7Greany, Kirstie. “Seven Ways That Learning and Development Can Foster Employee Engagement – Engage Employee.” Engage Employee. Engage Business Media, 22 Apr. 2016. Web. 30 June 2016.

 

 

 

Let’s Engage!

I’m Agent in Engagement Simpson…Gregory F Simpson.

Employee engagement is a critical mission. I hope I can count on your help! Subscribe to the RSS Feed to receive the latest intelligence/insights and/or register to make entries in the comments log.

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