We’re ALL Responsible for Employee Engagement

Recognize This: Engagement is a shared responsibility – so be aware of what you say and do that affects the engagement of others.

In my post yesterday, I highlighted BlessingWhite’s 2011 engagement report and findings that, unless executives set the course, managers can’t lead and employees can’t follow on the path of engagement.

A similar observation I couldn’t agree with more from Points of Rue:

“Shouldn't it [engagement] be something we talk about as a shared responsibility in which all of us have a role and responsibility to positively influence the engagement of our colleagues and our leaders as much as our leaders are responsible for engaging us?”

Yes, it should. We are – each of us, individually – responsible for the attitude we bring to work every day and how we reflect that attitude towards our colleagues. Paul Hebert, a favorite blogger of mine at i2i, made this point in a post just last week:

“Phrases and words may seem simple and harmless but they can create a situation that enable good people to behave differently – more negatively – toward others. … A simple word can have a big impact.”

And if that simple word is “thanks,” then the impact can cause people to behave more positively towards others. Our customers have repeatedly increased employee engagement scores by double digits – in less than year – simply by encouraging a culture of appreciation. The research backs it up, as I’ve written about in more detail on Compensation Café.

What’s the attitude you bring to work? Are you a positive influence or a negative one? How about the people you work with most closely?