We have worked closely with many clients across various industries to develop strong brands that reflect internal culture and we see the same truth time and again. If you want to cultivate a strong team culture, the most effective thing you can do is commit to improving employee engagement.
Why prioritise employees’ happiness?
Research consistently shows that happy, healthy teams are more engaged and productive. In their 2020 Good Work Index, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development found the best performing employees gave the top health and wellbeing scores. These employees were also more likely to carry out supplementary tasks above and beyond their core job role, displaying company loyalty and dedication to their teams.
While prioritising employee happiness does take time and effort, we can guarantee it’s worthwhile. If your teams aren’t happy, it won’t be long before everyone knows. Your customers will easily spot disengaged employees, and they’ll lose trust in your authenticity as a brand. They’ll also lose confidence in your ability to deliver what you say you will. If your people don’t embody your values, your public perception will be negatively impacted, no matter how well put together your brand appears.
We’d even go as far as saying employee happiness tells investors and interested parties everything they need to know about your business. Happy people become advocates for your company, and it’s your team culture that will set you apart from your competitors. According to Forbes, the companies voted ‘best to work for’ always rank highly on the stock markets. If you want people to take a chance on you, your first investment should always be in your people.
So, how do you go about improving the health and wellbeing of your teams?
It’s simple: you need to make employee happiness your number one priority – and it’s easier than you think.
Here are four ways to make your people happier and improve their engagement.
1. Make them feel they belong
Making sure your team are content doesn’t mean uncapped holidays and buying a ping-pong table for the office – though these might be welcome! People care more about how you make them feel.
Employees are happiest when they understand the purpose of their role and how it supports the wider company goals. Take time to ensure every team member understands the company mission and how their role fits into this picture.
Find out how we can help you define your mission, vision and company purpose.
2. Find out what they want
Encouraging your employees to consider their personal motivations is also crucial because if they are the right employees for your business, they should align with your company aims.
Clarifying these motivations helps your employees connect with your business and shows your people you take their fulfilment seriously. It also reassures them that you prioritise their wellbeing because you understand their happiness at work is essential for the success of your business.
3. Consult them about strategy
Consulting with your people before deciding on your company’s strategic business goals can also be beneficial. Encouraging your team to contribute ideas and suggest initiatives will make them feel valued and highlight their positive impact on the company.
If they don’t see a connection between what they do and the growth of your business, it will be hard for them to get excited about their work or be committed to getting things right. Every task they carry out should connect to their purpose and also to your company ‘why’.
4. Look after their wellbeing
Your employees’ wellbeing has a huge impact on their happiness at work. The people you work with are human beings, with a complex range of emotions and problems both in and outside of work. Encouraging them to push through their feelings is unlikely to result in good quality output and is the fastest route to an isolated, burned-out employee who thinks the company doesn’t care.
If you’re focusing on improving employee engagement, it’s important to create policies that encourage your people to look after their mental health. This means giving them the tools to live well outside of work, and includes things like:
- personal development courses
- regular check-ins
- social team activities
Being proactive in this area and taking preventive steps rather than fixing an issue when it arises, shows you value your employees for who they are and not just what they do.
In conclusion
Happy employees are engaged employees, and engaged employees are brand advocates who give more at work and act as positive ambassadors for your company. By prioritising your employees’ happiness, you are investing in the future success of your brand.
Check out our top tips on how to improve employee engagement.
