Have you ever had a rough Monday? Those moments when you check in at work, and you just don’t feel “it”. Or that extra-long yawn escaping your coworker's mouth as they clock in isn't exactly a morale booster. But what if you could turn those days around? What if your team skipped the shuffle and waltzed in, brimming with ideas and excited to tackle the week?

Before we get to it, let’s first discuss what employee engagement training is. Essentially, It's a series of plans and actions to create a work environment where people feel valued, motivated, and empowered to do their best work.

Now, you might be thinking, "Isn't that just an HR buzzword?" Nope. Investing in employee engagement training is a strategic move with a significant ROI (Return On Investment). Here's why:

Boosts Productivity and Performance

Think about it: When you're genuinely interested in your work, you're more likely to go the extra mile. Gallup studies have shown that highly engaged teams are 21% more productive than their less-engaged counterparts. 

Ignites Innovation

Disengaged employees? Innovation graveyard. When people feel stuck in a rut, new ideas are unlikely to blossom. But employee engagement training fosters a culture of collaboration and creative thinking. Pumble suggests this notion, too. Engaged employees are 44% more productive and are more content. 

Builds Loyal Workforce

Let's be honest, good employees are hard to find. In today's competitive job market, keeping your top talent is crucial. Employee engagement training shows your team you care about their professional development and well-being. This fosters loyalty and reduces turnover. 

Employee turnover is expensive, too! According to Employee Benefit News, in 2021, companies spent an average of 33% of an employee's yearly salary to find a replacement. So there’s no reason why an organization shouldn’t invest in employee engagement training to keep their employees from leaving. If you want to know more about the adverse effects of employee turnover beyond the numbers, check out our blog post here.

Cultivates Customer-Centric People

Happy employees make happy customers. Engaged employees are more likely to go above and beyond to deliver excellent customer service. As an example, when you feel good about your job, you naturally want to share that positivity with others. A study by Temkin Group found that companies with engaged employees have customer satisfaction scores that are 12% higher than those with less-engaged employees.

So how do you improve the employee engagement of your organization? Here are top four tips to get your business more connected to its people (plus the statistics to back them up): 

Where to Start with Employee Engagement Training

1. Build Strong Communication Skills 

Effective communication is the beating heart of any successful organization. Without it, misunderstandings fester, collaboration stalls, and frustration mounts. A 2023 study by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) highlighted that a lack of clear communication significantly contributes to employee disengagement.

Here’s how employee engagement training can enhance communication:

1. Active Listening Workshops: Equip employees with tools to listen to each other, fostering empathy and understanding truly.
2. Conflict Resolution Training: Teach effective conflict resolution techniques, helping navigate disagreements constructively. 
3. Clear and Concise Communication Techniques: Provide skills for communicating clearly and concisely in writing and verbally, reducing misunderstandings.

2. Improve Leadership

Effective leadership is like the secret sauce of engagement. Employees who perceive their leaders as empowering and supportive are more engaged and committed to their work. Here are a few tips:

• Leadership Development Workshops: Equip your managers and supervisors with the skills to inspire, motivate, and empower their teams. These workshops can cover a range of topics, including:
• Visionary Leadership: Teach leaders how to articulate a compelling vision for the organization and inspire others to rally around it.
• Coaching Skills: Provide practical coaching techniques to help leaders guide their team members’ growth and development.
• Emotional Intelligence: Enhance leaders’ emotional intelligence, enabling them to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics effectively.
• Coaching and Mentoring Programs: Foster a culture of continuous learning and growth by providing coaching and mentorship opportunities. Consider the following approaches:
• Peer-to-Peer Mentoring: Encourage experienced employees to mentor newer team members. This not only facilitates knowledge transfer but also builds strong relationships within the organization.
• Executive Coaching: Offer personalized coaching for senior leaders to enhance their leadership effectiveness. Executive coaches can provide valuable insights and strategies tailored to individual needs.

3. Fostering a Culture of Feedback and Recognition 

Recognition is like a motivational vitamin for employees. A 2022 study by Reward Gateway revealed that 80% of employees feel more engaged when their managers acknowledge their achievements. 

• Performance Management Training: A 2023 study by McKinsey & Company revealed that employees who receive regular feedback and coaching are 5 times more likely to stay with their company. 

So, move beyond annual reviews. Equip managers to provide ongoing, constructive feedback that helps employees grow and feel valued. 

• Recognition and Reward Programs: Develop meaningful recognition initiatives that go beyond a simple “good job.” You can try setting realistic KPIs from monetary incentives or offering more PTOs. 

4. Promoting Work-Life Balance and Well-being

Burnout is a real beast, and it can devour employee engagement. In 2021, Mental Health America found that a whopping 75% of employees reported experiencing burnout in the past year. Here’s how employee engagement training can prioritize well-being:

• Stress Management Techniques: Arm employees with practical tools to manage stress and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Emphasize that there's no reason to keep stressing about other things as long as they need to get the job done. 
• Promoting Healthy Habits: Encourage managers and other employees to have clear definite working hours. If the clock says it is 5:00 PM, ensure an employee won’t have to work outside their working hours. Consider sending them an email or a text to serve as a reminder for them for the following day.

5. Inclusive Practices 

Diversity and inclusion are essential for a thriving workplace. As we have discussed before, higher employee engagement means higher retention rate. And with societal norms changing daily, your organization must also keep up with inclusivity. 

• Unconscious Bias Training: Raise awareness about biases and provide tools to mitigate them. Workshops can explore topics like stereotype threat, microaggressions, and promoting a more inclusive mindset.
• Inclusive Communication Workshops: Teach employees how to communicate respectfully and inclusively. Address language choices, active listening, and creating an environment where everyone feels valued.

Learn How to Nurture Your People with Intellezy

Building a successful employee engagement training program takes dedication and ongoing support. But you don't have to go it alone!

At Intellezy, we're passionate about helping businesses create thriving work environments. Our award-winning library of training resources includes a variety of employee engagement training solutions, from communication skills workshops to leadership development programs.

We offer a partner-based approach, working closely with your team to understand your unique needs and goals. Our expert-led courses and tutorials are designed to be engaging, informative, and easily adaptable to your specific company culture.

Ready to learn more about how Intellezy can help you nurture your people and unlock the full potential of your workforce? Visit our website now to explore our employee engagement training solutions and discover how we can help you build a happier, more productive, and successful company.