Enthusiasm is an amazing thing – it has the potential to transform individuals from just employees into a cohesive force committed to your success. Better still, building and fostering enthusiasm does not entail a complete reinvention of your work culture.
These simple initiatives can reinvigorate your team and propel your organization up the “best place to work” ranking.
Start Early
A comprehensive onboarding process lays the groundwork for a long and productive relationship between the individual and the organization. Most onboarding approaches fail to have real impact because they are limited in scope – many are simply a job description and a brief introduction to the immediate supervisor.
Conversely, the right approach can mold a new employee into a career-long, committed contributor to the organization. Infusing your onboarding process with a gamification angle is an excellent way to engage Millennials and Generation Z.
Promote Learning
Stagnation is one of the most common reasons for employee dissatisfaction. Without real prospects of advancement, employees will be left feeling like they are stuck in a rut. Promoting learning not only eliminates this problem but also boosts the organization when your staff are given the chance to apply their skills.
A recent study by Harvard Business Review found that while many companies offer leadership training to high-potential employees, the programs don’t always garner much interest. The research determined that how an organization presents education options and the expected outcomes can affect people’s interest in pursuing it. To get employees on board, formulate a coherent training plan that addresses the individual’s desire to advance and complements it with a learning direction that impels your organization towards its corporate goals. The associated costs are more than just expenses; they are a sound investment in the success of everyone involved.
Timely Response
Nothing kills productivity like festering issues left unaddressed. Even minor concerns can escalate into problems that become a drain on your resources. Make sure that your organization has an open, receptive feedback system. Convey to your employees that their opinions do matter and can drive real change.
Perhaps the easiest way to relate this sentiment to your workforce is to initiate programs or events where senior management interacts directly with them. Listening is just the first step – act on their concerns and present tangible results. If just one employee can point to a change in company policy and say that they inspired it, its collective effect on the group’s psyche is phenomenal.
A Wider Focus
Many studies have shown that employees want more than just a paycheck in exchange for their efforts. The concept of meaningful work is closer to the hearts of Millennials than in previous generations. This young group is beginning to make up ever-larger sections of the workforce, and companies with effective Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs are a popular choice.
Promote your CSR initiatives and encourage staff to participate. An appreciation that their personal efforts through the company benefit the wider community and the world at large holds immense feel-good value.
A healthy corporate culture, a commitment to community, and an involved CEO are all indicative of a successful business environment. At DeSantis Trusted Advisors, we provide consulting, advisory, and coaching services to businesses and their stakeholders with the goal of creating pathways to success.
Contact me today for more information.
