If you are frustrated with employees who are disengaged and not producing at a high level, you are not alone. There have been several studies recently about the number of disengaged employees at work and how much distraction it causes, like this one: https://www.achievers.com/press/achievers-survey-finds-that-despite-disengagement-65-of-employees-plan-to-stay-in-their-jobs/
What can employers and managers do to change the level of engagement at work?
First things first: watch your language. Stop referring to your employees as “head count”. “Butts in seats”. “Bodies”. “Staff”. “Talent”. “Humans”. All these words are de-humanizing, and not designed to create solid working relationships, or make employees feel valued in their positions.
Instead, say this: My team. My village. My tribe. My community. My connections. My people. My colleagues.
Do you hear the difference?
When you engage with your people and make them feel as important as they truly are to your organization, they will engage with you, their Leader. It’s astonishing what a small shift in language, and perhaps even mindset, can do for a company.
Happy hiring, my people!