Exploring the Pivotal Role of Leadership in Employee Engagement
The role of leadership in employee engagement is one that is often overlooked. But, good leaders are the difference between a job you love and a job you might leave.
Frontline employees often feel various levels of disconnection from their organisation, because of the nature of their work.
With rising concerns related to burnout and variety of externally driven workplace upheavals that have taken place in recent years, it has become vital to ensure that employees feel engaged, heard and appreciated – doubly so, in frontline work environments.
How to achieve this, is often a vexing question for business leaders? It can be done, by undertaking actions that build trust, while using open and clear communication. By utilising Wyzetalk’s centralised platform, organisational leaders can take steps to secure a positive and engaging experience for frontline workers, while simultaneously combating burnout and bolstering employee growth.
The Role of Leadership in Employee Engagement: What are the Impacts?
Resignations can be stopped with a great manager.
Historically, traditional leadership operated on ‘bottom line’ principles where business needs were addressed above all else. As the world evolved, organisations came to realise that addressing employee engagement, is a mutually beneficial undertaking
Contemporary leadership styles are no longer focused on ‘industrial revolution’ style workplace policies. Today’s leaders instead focus on uplifting all employees, particularly those that might have not been considered important organisational role players in the past.
It’s evident that leaders are the ones setting the tone within their organisations and a key part of creating a positive impact on employees involves emotional intelligence. What are the soft skills that a leader needs – why does EQ make you a better leader for frontline workers?
Are there ways to capitalise on this tone setting responsibility? There most certainly are, by managing relationships, promoting social awareness, as well as self-awareness and self-management.
In addition, honesty and open communication are also important attitudes that help shape employee perception. Research indicates that leadership attitudes significantly impact a company’s cultural environment and often reflect their values.
Therefore, managers should make empathy, social awareness and relationship management priorities in their leadership practises. When frontline employees feel heard, connected and aware of their professional realities, engagement and experience are both enhanced.
The Impact of Trust on the Role of Leadership in Employee Engagement
Honesty is widely regarded as one of the most valued qualities in a leader. Despite the overwhelming importance placed on the truth, only about 20% of leadership figures are trusted when it comes to honesty.
Researchers have been able to positively establish the link between managers with higher levels of behavioural integrity and increased employee engagement and performance. How can you make this work for your company?
By improving communication and openness, leaders can bolster both engagement and build trust. Methods in this respect include:
- Improving reliability and ensuring they honour commitments
- Candid sharing of information, promoting open communication
- Demonstrating integrity and fairness
Challenges in Effective Leadership Communication
Effective communication is an essential skill for every leader.
Common issues faced by leaders when it comes to communication include the following:
- A lack of clarity
- One-sided conversations
- Bloated or irrelevant communications
In many cases, leaders communicate on a need-to-know basis, only relaying what they feel is important. Often, because they limit the scope of their messages, employees receive repetitive communications and over a period of time become less receptive to these communications.
Communication can either make or break a leader’s ability to solve problems. Despite good intentions, poorly-telegraphed decisions can further alienate frontline employees in already stressful situations.
It’s critical to promote open, effective and meaningful communication, in order to uplift frontline employees and ensure an engaging experience.
Technology and the Role of Leadership in Employee Engagement
Managing and monitoring teams in today’s workplace can pose many challenges. The real question for many business leaders is how these challenges can be overcome?
Wyzetalk’s innovative digital employee engagement platform offers leaders a powerful tool to enhance communication with their frontline employees. With the ability to reach employees via mobile devices, leaders can provide real-time updates, share important information, and foster a sense of connection, even for those who may not have regular access to a computer.
The platform also allows for two-way communication, enabling leaders to gather feedback, address concerns, and promote engagement. Moreover, Wyzetalk’s analytics and reporting features provide valuable insights into communication effectiveness, helping leaders tailor their messages and strategies to better suit their workforce’s needs. In an age where effective and timely communication is paramount, Wyzetalk’s digital platform empowers leaders to bridge the gap and create a more informed and engaged frontline team.
Inclusive Leadership, Diversity & Employee Voice and Feedback
Creating a sense of belonging
Inclusivity in the workplace helps foster a positive environment that encourages collaboration, openness and productivity.
Still unsure about the value of diversity? Research undertaken by Deloitte found that employees of more inclusive companies are engaged up to 83% more than counterparts at companies with lower levels of inclusion. When workers feel at ease, leaders can expect increased performance.
Organisations can help facilitate this type of growth by providing platforms that encourage employee feedback. By giving a voice to often ‘voiceless’ frontline employees, through solutions like our multi-channel communication platforms. Business leaders both improve overall engagement and also help workers feel validated and appreciated.
In addition, real-time feedback helps organisations correct mistakes, address concerns and reprioritise when needed. In fact, employees that receive meaningful feedback are up to 4 times more engaged.
Through an inclusive workplace, leaders can create a business culture and employee experience that promotes growth, engagement and further encourages career development and personal change.
Strategies for Effective Leadership Communication
Effective communication and effective leadership are closely intertwined.
While many business leaders are aware of the need to improve their communications skills, they are unsure where to focus their attention. There are 3 keys factors to consider in this regard:
- Authenticity: Honesty and sincerity are important because employees are not interested in following a leader, they deem inauthentic or lacks sincerity.
- Transparency: Being open about company goals, challenges and other realities that employees face, goes a long way in helping employees determine their place within the organisation.
- Empathy: Different people will receive your messages in different ways, based on their own personal situations. Always make sure to consider the emotional impact of your communications.
By making use of our platform, leaders can enhance their communication skills and help create an environment where clear, open and empathetic messaging is encouraged.
Key Takeaways
Leaders that are communicative, trusted and socially aware are able create workplace environments that both enhance the employee experience as well as keep frontline workers engaged and connected to the business mission and goals.
To better equip your organization’s leadership with an effective communication solution, talk to an expert.