092 - Employee Engagement with Chris Zervas
Boosting Employee Engagement through Effective Communication
“60% of employees are actively or passively disengaged in their company.”
Effective communication is a vital aspect of any successful organization, and it's especially important for boosting employee engagement. When team members feel heard, valued, and connected to the rest of the team, they are more likely to be motivated, productive, and committed to the company's goals.
There are many ways to improve communication in the workplace, such as providing clear instructions, establishing clear lines of communication with contractors and remote workers, and paying attention to non-verbal cues. Strong leadership is also crucial, as leaders who model open and transparent communication can create a positive company culture that encourages employee engagement.
Here are some ways to improve communication and increase engagement among your team:
Make sure your team members have the tools and resources they need to communicate effectively with each other. This may include things like clear instructions, frequent check-ins, and open office hours for questions and feedback.
If your team includes contractors or remote workers, it's important to establish clear lines of communication and ensure that they feel included and connected to the rest of the team.
In her book "The Charisma Myth," author Olivia Fox Cobane discusses the importance of authenticity and vulnerability in leadership. Encourage your team leaders to embrace their own unique qualities and be open and transparent with their team members.
Non-verbal cues like body language and tone of voice can often convey more than words. Encourage your team to pay attention to non-verbal communication and work on being more aware of their own body language and the body language of others.
In today's world, communication is no longer limited to in-person interactions. With the rise of remote work and digital communication, it's important to be mindful of the different ways in which people prefer to communicate and make sure everyone feels heard.
Strong communication skills are essential for effective leadership. Encourage your team leaders to seek out opportunities to improve their communication skills, whether through training programs or one-on-one coaching.
Different generations may have different communication styles and preferences. Encourage your team to be respectful of each other's communication styles and work to find a way to effectively communicate across generations.
Effective communication is key to retaining top talent. Make sure your team members feel heard and valued, and encourage open and honest communication to help build trust and foster a positive work culture.
A positive company culture is essential for employee engagement. Encourage your team to work together to define and cultivate a culture that values open and honest communication, respect, and inclusion.
It's important to maintain professional boundaries and establish appropriate relationships with team members. Encourage your team leaders to be mindful of their interactions with team members and to model respectful and appropriate communication.
“When you build relationships, you build trust. When you have trust… you’re ultimately increasing productivity.”
Effective communication is a key factor in increasing employee engagement. By providing the tools and resources for effective communication, cultivating a positive company culture, and encouraging open and honest dialogue, organizations can create a workplace that is engaging, productive, and successful.
We all speak to one another, but only some of us communicate. To communicate means addressing your employee, client, or co-worker with clear intentions, focus, and sincerity. When you lack communication skills, you open the door for misunderstandings in your business. On the flip side, when you thrive at communication, so will the areas of your life where it’s present. Listen to our interview with leadership expert, Chris Zervas, to elevate yourself and your business.
Show Notes
00:00 - Intro
1:00 - Who is Chris Zervas?
6:15 - Communication in the Workplace (3-Legged Stool)
13:50 - Contractors and Communication
15:30 - The Charisma Myth by Olivia Fox Cobane
23:45 - Nonverbal Communication
29:00 - How Communication has Changed (Martin’s Story)
31:00 - Learning Leadership Communication Skills
34:00 - Communication between Generations
40:30 - Retaining Employees
43:50 - The Importance of Culture
48:40 - Appropriate Relationships with Employees
53:30 - Vulnerability as a Leader
55:40 - Providing Feedback
1:00:00 - Power & Leadership vs. Authority & Leadership
1:01:30 - What Actions to Take
1:06:30 - Contact Chris
Quotable Moments
“Whatever you’re doing, be all there.” – Chris
“We have a tendency to destroy our relationships with important clients by our distractibility.” – Chris
“60% of employees are actively or passively disengaged in their company.” – Chris
“What you don’t do and what you allow has a greater impact on your culture than what you’re actually intentional about.” – Khalil
“When you build relationships, you build trust. When you have trust… you’re ultimately increasing productivity.” – Chris
“All good communication starts with a question internally – ‘who’s my audience?’” – Chris
“Authority is given and it’s a title that you assume. Leadership is earned.” – Chris
“We’re wired to be in community with people that interact with us with grace and truth.” – Chris
Resources
Visit Chris Zervas’s Website
Read Chris Zervas’s Book
Check us out on Youtube
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The Countdown
Have questions? Email us!
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