Culture is experienced through the everyday moments employees encounter at work. It is more than just the tasks they complete – it includes the conversations they have with coworkers, the relationships they have with those around them, the expectations placed on them, and much more. All of these factors shape how people view and feel about their workplace. For leaders wanting to build a strong culture, understanding those day-to-day experiences across the organization is essential.
As the video above explains, “employee engagement is the involvement and enthusiasm of employees in their work and workplace.” When people feel supported, valued, and included in their work environment, they are more likely to stay motivated and committed to doing more than just the bare minimum. However, when they feel disconnected or unheard, that engagement can decline. Understanding these different dynamics affecting employee engagement is a crucial step for leaders.
It is difficult, especially in large organizations, for leaders to completely understand the day-to-day realities across the different teams, departments, and roles. What may feel like a healthy and productive culture in one part of the organization may feel very different somewhere else. Without actively seeking feedback looking deeper, it is a challenge for leaders to fully understand what employees are experiencing in their workplace environments. Finding ways for employees to voice their experiences is extremely important. Creating opportunities and ensuring managers are providing their teams with opportunities to engage is also extremely important.
Many organizations use tools like employee engagement surveys to better understand how employees across the organization view their environment at work. These surveys allow employees to share honest feedback (usually anonymously) about leadership, workload, overall culture, and more. However, engagement surveys are not just about collecting feedback – they are also about taking action on what employees share. In a Lattice article, “Why Employee Engagement Surveys Are So Important”, Lyssa Test explains that these surveys help organizations identify areas for improvement, create an actionable plan, and drive meaningful change throughout the organization.
Understanding employees’ work experiences is an essential step for leaders who want to build a strong and healthy culture. When leaders take the time to listen to feedback, they gain valuable insight into what is going on in areas they might not have much exposure to in their day-to-day roles. Creating opportunities for employees to engage and share their perspectives shows that they matter and that leadership is committed to building a positive work environment. Have you ever been part of a group where leadership felt disconnected from people’s’ day-to-day experiences? Why?
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