WEEKLY WISDOM - ENGAGEMENT

Engagement: the level of enthusiasm and dedication a worker feels toward their job.

Every leader goes through the honeymoon phase when either starting a new job or being promoted to a new position. We are excited about the challenges and opportunities that are before us. We wake up excited about what the world will bring today and what we will learn. We leave the job daily motivated about what value we can bring to the table. We are meeting new people, taking on new projects, observing the culture, and developing our rhythms. We will call this “engagement”.

As your time gets longer and longer in the position or in your business you encounter new challenges and opportunities, how do you sustain your engagement? I’m speaking of your level of enthusiasm and commitment that you are making to the company, the business, its employees, the customers, and constituents.

As things get thrown your way and you start to understand the culture more, it is your level of influence and leadership that can make a major difference. There could be a level of frustration that can arise if things do not transform as quickly as you want them to due to several reasons or things may change due to financial impacts or reorganizations or a host of things. You can either embrace, grow, and take ownership of the influence and leadership you have, or the other alternative would be to disengage. Disengagement could look different but comes to the same conclusion. You could become nonchalant, sarcastic, negative about any issue brought to you, other outside interests start to take priority, and list can go on and on. According to a Gallop study in 2022, engagement figures were overwhelmingly pessimistic. The report found that 60% of employees worldwide are not engaged and as many as 19% are ‘actively disengaged’. Consequently, this lacklustre engagement causes negative impacts on the wider team and organization. Gallup: 79% of employees are not engaged | Insights Blog.

How do you protect yourself from this perspective and not become disengaged?

Let’s start off with scripture and then I will share my strategy of engagement.

Colossians 3:17 states "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

1st Corinthians 10:31 states "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

Now for my criteria that keeps me engaged which I hope helps you as a leader.

The first thing is a mind-set of gratitude as I made a conscious decision to take this position and the organization is trusting my leadership. There has been time used, money spent, and resources provided to set me up for success, so I want to follow through on my commitment.

Observe everything in the business so that I can make informed decisions. I take about 45-60 days before I incorporate any changes.

Next, I give myself at least two years in a role to experience the rhythms of the company and truly understand the culture in order to add value, unless there is a major or drastic issue that arises.

I want to give each person in the organization the opportunity to build the appropriate relationship and trust with me.

Now you can be the GOAT- Gratitude, Observe, Add Value, and Trust = Engagement!

(ENGAGE)

Exercise Your Power this week-

1.      Take time this week to list the things you are grateful for in your current position. 

2.      Examine your time in your current position and list the things you have done that have added value and made a tremendous impact on your organization.

3.      Speak with someone this week that you can trust to give you some insight on strategies to stay engaged and add value.