Last night during a leadership session, a manager from a pharmaceutical company said he wanted to get his team members more engaged. It made me think about when you get married, someone asks the question, and if you say, “yes!” then now you are engaged. Here are some principles that can help you as a leader get your team engaged at work.
1-Ask Questions
What is important to them about their work? What are their professional strengths? What do they enjoy most about what they do? What ideas do they have to improve work flow/processes or people?
2-Give honest, sincere appreciation (one of Mr. Dale Carnegie’s human relation principle).
Say thank you for a job well done. Leave a note on their desk with written appreciation. Make an announcement in a staff meeting about positive feedback a client gave about them.
3. SMILE – watch what can happen if you consistently greet people with a smile. It is amazing!
If we want people to be more engaged at work, check your level of engagement. If you are excited, your team may just follow your lead.
