In Bobbie LaPorte’s final “Your Best Next Move” video of 2022, she covers the third of her new “3 Cs” approach to employee engagement: Contribution. Now more than ever, employees want to feel valued and validated. Bobbie shares a surprisingly simple leadership tip that can help you remind your team members of all the ways they are contributing to your organization’s larger purpose.
Transcript of Your Best Next Move: A New 3 Cs Approach to Employee Engagement – Part 3
Hi everyone, Bobbie LaPorte here again with my weekly leadership tip for your Best Next Move, where I help you see continuing curveballs as an opportunity.
Over the last two weeks I’ve focused on the subject of employee engagement, because it continues to be an important issue for most companies. I’ve cited a new survey from the Conference Board where 30% of employees say their level of engagement is lower than six months ago. And 18% said their level of effort had declined over the last six months.
There has been so much emphasis on this issue with many different programs, approaches and viewpoints offered. I have suggested perhaps a new way of approaching this issue, based on my experience training for endurance events. I offered three points that have helped me successfully cross the finish line that I hope will be helpful for you to consider.
They are the three Cs:
- Connection
- Certainty
- Contribution
I have already covered Connection and Certainty.
This week I will share the final concept of Contribution.
I think we all understand that it is a basic element of human nature to be validated, to feel we have value, particularly during these times when people feel disconnected, not sure how or where they fit in.
As leaders, we can always show acknowledgement and praise for good work and value that a team member contributes, but more than that is the connection to a larger purpose.
I know it may sound trite, but helping team members see how their specific work contributes to – but doesn’t fully satisfy – the complex needs of today’s changing organization is a critical focus. Many of the issues leaders are being asked to solve are ones we may not have experienced before, and we need to draw on the collective talents and skills of all involved to address them .
Here’s my tip:
Think about your team or organization’s larger purpose. Why do people join your company and come to work every day? Who is the ultimate beneficiary of the work your team does? It may be internal stakeholders or external customers…or even the broader community in which you operate.
If your organization was disbanded tomorrow, who would feel it the most? Work back from there and find simple, consistent ways to remind your team of what their personal contribution means.
You can reinforce this in 1:1 meetings and by sharing team successes that show how their work impacts and benefits others. Help them (literally) raise their head from the day-to-day work they do to see the downstream benefits of what they are producing.
That’s my tip for the week. These “Best Next Move” tips are going to take a break for the remainder of 2022. I wish all of you and a successful close to what was another challenging year, and a happy holiday season.
I will see you in the New Year.