Every organization is dependent on effective employee engagement ...
Those leaders who choose to ignore, or fail to heed, the work life of their employees will likely be challenged by the escalating and compounding impacts of a disengaged workforce. Not the least of which is a hasty exit for more fulfilling opportunities outside your organization.
Employees pay attention. They are quick to register any lack of support from leadership. Likewise, they are also fast to recognize the absence of growth and recognition of contributions. On top of which, any lip service paid to work-life balance that does not result in an actual balance, if it is not immediately called out, will register as suspect or even hostile.
Striving for engaged employees is just as much a source of frustration for organization leaders. They wrestle with their intent falling into the communication gaps between employees and departments. The difficulty of measuring employee engagement, limited by clear measures and absent the necessary technology to capture and track performance data, also leads to disappointment. It’s not that leaders don’t want engaged employees or are unwilling to do the work to build strong, positive and engaging cultures. They may simply lack the understanding of what it takes to develop and foster.
Frustration leads to blame on both sides and no effective resolution. How might they better pay attention to this vital work?
Investing in Developing Employees
Investing in employee development demonstrates a commitment to their growth and success within the organization. When employees see that their employer is dedicated to enhancing their skills and knowledge, they are more likely to feel valued and motivated to contribute their best to the company.
It is not simply a matter of offering any training opportunities; the capabilities to be developed must be aligned to the strategic and operational success of the business. The new skills have to matter. Employees should see that the company considers them to be worthwhile in supporting on the path to self-improvement. It may seem self-serving on the part of leaders, but employees recognize when their development is valued.
A software company in a competitive market provides regular training sessions and workshops for its employees to learn new programming languages, software tools and development methodologies. It prioritizes learning and development and recognizes that time in training is not wasted when it enhances performance. This investment in skill development not only improves employees’ expertise but also shows that the company is dedicated to their growth and professional advancement.
Source: Promoting Training and Development Opportunities to Attract Top Candidates by HR Daily Advisor
