Building Employee Engagement Through Purposeful Actions
Fostering strong connections between employees and their organizations is more critical than ever - and there’s evidence to back that up.
Gallup's 2023 findings reveal that only 33% of U.S. employees feel engaged in their work and with their workplace. Furthermore, the data highlights a decline in employee connection to their organization’s mission or purpose.
Why is this so important? The answer is simple… Employees who feel aligned with their company's overarching mission and goals are more likely to be engaged, motivated, and committed to achieving collective success. They’re more likely to go the extra mile and less likely to leave your organization, leaving you with the costly burden of finding their replacement.
To strengthen connection to purpose, organizations can actively involve employees in meaningful initiatives that embody their core values.
Define and Articulate Values: Clearly define the organization's mission and core values, ensuring that they are articulated in a compelling and easily understandable manner. Employees should have a clear understanding of what the company stands for, beyond profits, and how their individual contributions contribute to its broader purpose.
Integrate Values into Culture: Integrate the mission and values into every aspect of the organizational culture, from recruitment and onboarding to performance evaluations and recognition programs. Cultivate a shared sense of identity and purpose that permeates throughout the organization.
Reinforce Values Regularly: Continuously reinforce the company's mission and values through various communication channels, including internal newsletters, town hall meetings, and digital platforms. Take a ‘show, don’t tell’ approach by getting employees actively involved in living your mission and values. If giving back is a value of your company, partnering with a community organization like Wish for Wheels is an invaluable way to bring your team together and make a difference, showing your deep commitment to this value.
Invite Meaningful Participation: Provide opportunities for employees to actively participate in shaping and advancing the company's mission and purpose. Encourage input, feedback, and suggestions from all levels of the organization, fostering a sense of ownership and empowerment.
Encourage Cross-Functional Collaboration: Facilitate cross-functional collaboration and interdisciplinary projects that allow employees to see the broader impact of their work on achieving the company's mission. Break down silos and encourage teamwork towards common goals. Engaging in meaningful team building activities across functional areas, like by building bikes for local under-resourced children, with a Wish for Wheels Team Build & Give event, will help to further drive connection, collaboration, and a demonstration of commitment to your organization’s values.
Foster Personalized Connection to Values: Recognize and celebrate individual contributions to the company's mission and purpose. Highlight how each employee's unique skills, talents, and efforts contribute to the collective success of the organization, fostering a sense of personal connection and pride.
As organizations strive to navigate the evolving landscape of employee engagement, it's essential to prioritize strategies that illuminate purpose in the workplace and enhance employee connection to the organization's mission.
With careful consideration and intentional action, companies can cultivate a workplace culture characterized by engagement, alignment, and shared purpose, leaving individuals to feel deeply connected to their company's mission and motivated to contribute to its success.
If you’re looking to amplify your employees’ connection with your values and sense of purpose, hosting a Team Build & Give event with Wish for Wheels is a no-brainer way to engage your team, strengthen team cohesion and embody the spirit of giving back to the community. By working together to build bikes for local 2nd-grade students in Title I schools, you’re tackling several facets of team development at once while aligning with employees' desire for meaningful impact.
Contact Wish for Wheels here to learn more.
