The Art of Engagement

The Engagement Imperative

Consider this lesson in contrasts: think of a baseball game versus an office. At the game, people are enthused and excited. They cheer. They clap. They are engaged. This is hardly the scene at the typical office. Okay, so huzzahs and applause rarely fit in at work, but shouldn’t employees at least be engaged in their jobs? Indeed they should. So, why aren’t they? Numerous reasons exist. For example, managers do not explain the big picture, so employees do not feel like a part of the process. They just aren’t sure that their contributions, opinions and efforts make a difference. They think they are simply along for the ride.

These thoughts and feelings are roadblocks to meaningful change. That’s why a new strategic push at the typical company often goes nowhere once it leaves the executive suite. When a strategic imperative is meaningless to your employees, they won’t get behind it. Leaders plan and develop strategy, but employees execute it. They are the “true engines of business.” Without employee buy-in, the most exciting new strategy will be dead on arrival. To make your new strategy work, engage your employees so they take full ownership...