Job security is down, but worker disengagement is up! A study by Boston College’s Sloan Center on Aging & Work shows that both older workers and Gen Y feel that their jobs are threatened, the younger workers feel that productivity is also slipping.
However, good leaders can do something about the disengagement. As explained by Christina Matz-Costa, a research associate at the Sloan center, “Employee engagement can be greatly enhanced by simple and cost-efficient efforts. Providing strong training and development opportunities, encouraging work-team inclusion and promoting a culture of workplace flexibility and supervisor supportiveness are all effective strategies that can maintain or boost engagement.”
1. Strong training – How strong is your training and development
program now that you’ve cut expenses to the bone? Is it possible
to include some new and innovative training that doesn’t cost as
much as what you’ve trimmed from the budget? Find out what kind of advice the trainers have about distance training or less
costly on site work.
2. Development – Do you have an easily understood plan for
developing employees, both leadership and non-leadership track?
Learn what kind of plans are being used by companies your size.
Ask your trade association for help in creating a solid
development plan that will withstand fluctuations in the economy.
3. Encourage work-team inclusion – Do you have a plan for
interacting with the work-teams? Is there a way for teams to
interact with each other so they understand the larger view of
what is going on in your company? Meet with your team leaders
and find out how you can facilitate “worker” involvement in
decision making. Productivity falls off quickly if people feel
excluded.
4. Workplace flexibility – Is your company “old school” with
everyone at the assigned place for eight hours? Or do you
understand how to use flex time, remote work technology, and
variable work loads? Research the ways “best place to work”
companies handle the various needs of employees while still
getting the work done, often with greater productivity. Bring in
a consultant to help you get in step with Gen Y thinking.
5. Supervisor supportiveness – Are your supervisors oriented
toward servant leadership, or are they of the tradition that
workers should “do it because I told you so.” When was the last
time you surveyed employees or even asked them informally if
they are happy with the leadership style in your company? Read
the books about servant leadership and set up some training for
your leaders at all levels.
Leadership Edge: “Because I told you to do it” is no longer
effective leadership. Constant effort is required to stay current with the 21st Century leadership skills needed to work with our culturally diverse workforce.
Dale Collie is an author and speaker with more than 40 years in leadership.
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