ENGAGE WITH YOUR WORKFORCE behind results , leaders will rush to create strategies — one-sizefits-all , broad-brush strategies .
But employees do not respond well to global solutions . They want to know that they have been listened to . Leaders who draft plans without taking time to consider context or “ backstory ” practically guarantee employee non-compliance to any engagement initiative . Organizations that ignore the importance of conversation are missing out on a range of opportunities to create a higher-performing workforce .
Here ’ s why : science shows that when you have meaningful , face-toface conversations that demonstrate value , respect and care , this boosts the brain ’ s processing power — forming a feel-good energy cocktail of connection , calm , concentration , creativity and curiosity . Essentially , conversation can deepen the leaderemployee relationship , energize employees , and power those apps that make a business so successful .
No time to talk ? Don ’ t feel you have time to talk to your employees ? Consider this : concerns that are unaddressed tend to fester and simmer . And then ... they turn into “ crucial ,” “ fierce ” or “ difficult ” conversations — consuming multiples of energy , time and mind-space from everyone in the organization .
Leaders save themselves a lot of headaches when they move beyond engagement as we know it today , and honour how the brain works .
And not only that : conversations don ’ t have to take up a lot of time . Short , simple “ Energy Check ” conversations are a proven and effective way to unlock insight and possibility in your employees ’ minds . It can be as simple as asking employees what is energizing them at the moment , and what is depleting their energy . Done systematically , this technique can catch issues before they become calamities based .
Easy to install Conversation already exists in your organization . It ’ s simply up to leaders to embrace it as the key operating system that drives the business — and shifting their mindset to include conversation in all engagement endeavours . This generates energy , fuelling a great customer experience as well as business results .
23