Although there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach and no master model for successful employee engagement, four common themes emerged from David MacLeod and Nita Clarke’s extensive research captured in Engaging For Success. Taken together, they include many of the key elements that go to make successful employee engagement.
These four enablers of engagement have proved to be useful lenses which can help organisations assess the effectiveness of their approaches.
Strategic Narrative
Visible, empowering leadership providing a strong strategic narrative about the organisation, where it’s come from and where it’s going.
Engaging Managers
Engaging managers who focus their people and give them scope, treat their people as individuals and coach and stretch their people.
Employee Voice
Employee voice throughout the organisations, for reinforcing and challenging views, between functions and externally. Employees are seen not as the problem, rather as central to the solution, to be involved, listened to, and invited to contribute their experience, expertise and ideas.
ORGANISATIONAL Integrity
Organisational integrity – the values on the wall are reflected in day to day behaviours. There is no ‘say –do’ gap. Promises made and promises kept, or an explanation given as to why not.