Enhancing employee engagement

Some real insights into enhancing employee engagement can be found in the Government report titled "Engaging for Success". You can download a full copy here.

It is a long and academic piece. Here is something that I found really valuable:

This report is not a ‘how to’ guide. However, we were struck in the course of the review how often the same four broad enablers / drivers were cited as being critical to employee engagement.

1. LEADERSHIP provides a strong strategic narrative which has widespread ownership and commitment from managers and employees at all levels. The narrative is a clearly expressed story about what the purpose of an organisation is, why it has the broad vision it has, and how an individual contributes to that purpose. Employees have a clear line of sight between their job and the narrative, and understand where their work fits in. These aims and values are reflected in a strong, transparent and explicit organisational culture and way of working. The late Professor Sumantra Ghoshal, formerly of the London Business School, believed that organisations which were successful in the long haul were characterised by stretch, discipline, trust and support; they were ‘both tough and tender’.

2. ENGAGING MANAGERS. are at the heart of this organisational culture– they facilitate and empower rather than control or restrict their staff; they treat their staff with appreciation and respect and show commitment to developing, increasing and rewarding the capabilities of those they manage. As Chris Bones told us, “the line manager is the lens through which I see the company and the company sees me.”

3. VOICE. An effective and empowered employee voice – employees’ views are sought out; they are listened to and see that their opinions count and make a difference. They speak out and challenge when appropriate. A strong sense of listening and of responsiveness permeates the organisation, enabled by effective communication.

4. INTEGRITY. Behaviour throughout the organisation is consistent with stated values, leading to trust and a sense of integrity.

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