How Leaders can Engage Their Teams

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In the Globe and Mail article Employee Engagement Starts at the Top, Nora Underwood advocates that leaders set specific standards for their teams, while advancing a corporate culture that is conducive to employee engagement.

Follow these simple tips to get the most out of your team while setting the standard for excellence

Recognize your team’s efforts. Encourage your team by giving positive feedback like saying “Thank you” or “Good Work”.  This recognition will demonstrate to your employees that you value their contributions, raising their self-esteem and their dedication to your organization (Holly Green, Positive Feedback: What employees Want and Need, Tec Canada).

Live by the golden rule which is essentially, “treat others the way you want to be treated” (The Golden Rule, jcu.edu). Don’t show any favouritism towards one individual over another because this can disengage your team. You can ensure equality by setting specific standards (i.e. for quality of work) and expectations (i.e. for tardiness, absence). Make these “rules” known to the entire team and honour them yourself.

Give your team the opportunity to do meaningful work, as opposed to giving them menial tasks to keep them occupied.  Employees want to see that they have a direct impact on the success of their organization (Dr. Vince Molinaro and Dr. David Weiss, Driving Employee Engagement, The Banff Centre).

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