Inspiring Communication – Engaging Leaders

As many of us gradually return back to our physical workspaces, whether we adopt a hybrid model or we go back to how it was pre-pandemic, the need for leaders to engage their teams and communicate has never been so great. Some of those who have been furloughed, working from home, starting new jobs or maybe a combination of all 3 of these, could be and sometimes are, facing the stark reality of returning to a shared workplace. This is the best news ever for many, but for some others this prospect is causing stress and anxiety.

More than a half a million UK employees could be made to return to their normal workplaces before they are comfortable doing so, according to new research from not-for-profit healthcare provider, Benenden Health. Now, though the road ahead remains difficult, leaders are shifting from whether they can return to how they can make returning to work successful. This returning phase also provides leaders with a compelling reason to engage and strengthen overall connections with employees through inspiring communication. Covid-19 has also gone a long way to remove the stigma from talking about mental health at work and no longer feels like a taboo subject. Clear and inspiring communication is central to making this next unsteady phase a success. Here are some useful ways to increase engagement as part of a plan to return teams to the physical workplace.

o Find out how prepared they are to return to the physical workplace. Know who wants to come back as soon as possible, and who will need more time to be comfortable. Consider a staff questionnaire or a short ‘pulse’ (engagement) survey to support with this. The return planning process needs to be transparent to all.

o Take time to celebrate and reinforce the values the company stands for, and how they were demonstrated in the company’s pandemic response. We have seen some great examples of this – many hotels and universities have provided accommodation for health care workers and the homeless. Actions which re-enforce their company’s values.

o For many people, job security and feeling valued are factors that have been top of mind. Use one-to-ones to address employees’ concerns directly and reassure them that they are valued and have a future with the company. A one size fits approach isn’t productive, and some staff will need them more regularly depending on their own situations.

o Employees don’t want to follow leaders who they don’t really know and understand. Your team need to see you as a real person who’s not perfect but who has a real vision for the company. Much of our experience over the last 18 months has been shared. We have all lived through the not knowing, deciphering the rules, the anxiety and the loss on many levels. Leaders sharing stories and connecting with employees on a personal level will inspire. According to Benenden Health, “An open, two-way conversation must now take place to ensure employees are able to disclose and address any mental wellbeing concerns without fear… In building a happy, healthy and productive workforce, employers will also have to consider how their operations change as restrictions ease, ensuring that employee wellbeing is at the forefront of these conversations.”

Interested in finding out more? Then please join the Engage For Success event ‘Engaged teams need engaging managers’ on the 28th September as we explore:

• The Benenden Health research findings

• The role of managers in engagement (one of the four E4S enablers)

• What is an engaging manager? We’ll hear from a local business owner about their journey as a manager.

• How we can support our managers to be engaging: an opportunity to share ideas and best practice

We look forward to seeing you!

Date: 28th September

Time: 1-2.30pm

Joining details: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84979077934?pwd=enJScEtIZEoySFExVktJNEhWT1VCZz09

Meeting ID: 849 7907 7934

Passcode: 143142

Engage for Success is a growing, dynamic, voluntary movement promoting employee engagement as a better way to work that benefits individual employees, teams, and organisations. Much of their research over the last decade has highlighted how key engagement is to improved productivity and the growth of our economy. And with the impact of COVID-19 over the last year, a focus on engagement will make a significant difference to our recovery.