300 Brickstone Square • Suite 201 • Andover, MA 01810 USA • 1.800.288.7246 • +1.978.649.8200 • info@corpedgroup.com
A
few years ago, I had the pleasure of teaching
strategic planning to a group of university graduate
students. They were engaged, bright, curious, and
ready to work. They brought a level of enthusiasm and
commitment that was inspiring and energizing.
I left the course with high hopes for the future of our
organizations. If these students are representative of our
coming workforce, our organizations will be very lucky
indeed. Then, I thought about the employees I know in organizations today. Many of them are tired,
stressed, and worried about the future. Were they once like the bright, engaged students I met at the
university? What happened?
Today's Workforce
In organizations today, we are challenged to keep employees engaged, innovative, and productive.
Yet, they often come across as weary, tenacious survivors. Employees know enough not to talk about
the challenges of keeping up amidst the tumult of organization life, the rapid change, the threats of
layoffs, and the continuous "raising the bar." But in quiet, offline conversations, they'll talk about being
tired, unengaged, and simply surviving.
Employee engagement, innovation, and productivity are a challenge in today's workforce.The costs of
non-engagement are high. We live in a world of increasing competition, pressure to lower costs, and
demand for ongoing innovation and productivity gains. How can we employers help them rediscover
their spark, tap into their creativity, and stay connected to the organization? Check out these tips for
helping employees stay engaged.
Tips for Mobilizing a Weary Workforce
Limit Strategies. Rather than listing 10+ strategies that no one is able to remember, identify the 3-5
accomplishments critical to the organization's success. Then communicate those over and over again
until everyone knows them. Of course, you can tie additional goals to these 3-5 accomplishments. But
those goals will be in the context of what is most important, rather than part of one overwhelmingly
long list.
• Broadcast Successes. When people work hard and accomplish something important, make sure
people know about it. This sounds obvious, but often organizations have moved on to the next
big thing before a project finishes and forgets to celebrate successes. That's the kind of behavior
that wearies employees. Give them a chance to catch their breath and bask temporarily in the
Energizing a Weary Workforce
M A N AG E M E N T A N D L E A D E R S H I P
