Employee Engagement is Driven by Honesty and Communication

Too often, when managers and leaders think about employee engagement, the focus surrounds monetary rewards. Employee retention and engagement, though, is about more than just bonuses, benefits and pay. Your employees crave honesty and communication as a means to feel valued within the company's mission and structure. Retain your best employees while increasing productivity and profits with transparent communication.

Honest communication can be one of the most successful strategies for employee retention. Leaders who embrace honesty promote pride in the organization, according to Mahan Tavakoli with Training Magazine. Communication helps employees develop loyalty to the business and a clear understanding of the company's values, vision and philosophy.

Transparency within the workplace not only enhances employee engagement, but it also increases satisfaction with supervisors and senior management. A manager who is willing to communicate honestly and openly with employees naturally motivates the staff and, as a result, increases productivity. Your employees need feedback, expressions of gratitude and encouragement and honesty to improve their individual performance on the job. Open communication also increases employees' satisfaction with upper-level management. Employees often feel more engaged and confident in the company's future when transparency is valued across all levels of management.

The method in which you communicate with employees can make or break employee engagement. Begin by creating a strategic internal plan that dictates communication strategies between managers and employees, and employees and customers. Establish a two-way flow of information that ensures messages, procedures and policies are clear and concise from top management to entry-level employees.

The frequency in which messages are conveyed is also an important factor in employee engagement. Managers who fail to communicate frequently with employees run the risk of promoting fear or uncertainty within employees, which can significantly impact performance and productivity. Tailor concise and honest messages that are relevant to each employee, especially during critical times when employees need reassurance.

Solidify employee engagement by soliciting input from employees. Allow and encourage input and suggestions at every level, from entry-level positions to upper management. Create a mechanism for employees to share ideas, offer innovative strategies to improve customer relations, and meet regularly with employees to provide feedback and appreciation. Employees typically feel more confident with their positions when they can contribute to processes and procedures implemented by the business. A positive company culture not only increases employee engagement, but it also improves work performance.

Employees who feel valued and a key part of the company's culture, mission and goals are more likely to provide better service to customers. Seek to build relationships with employees based on honesty, transparency and genuine gratitude to improve the company's structure, culture and productivity. The end result of employee engagement not only improves your company's bottom line, it also retains qualified and satisfied employees.

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