"Do you feel engaged in your work?"
If you were asked that question at work, you would most likely nod your head in agreement without giving any more thought to the matter. Even today, employees’ engagement in their work may sound self-evident to many managers.
Excluding overtime, we spend 80 000 hours at work throughout our careers. Wouldn’t you want to spend that time enjoying your job and feeling engaged in the work you do? We present you: tips for more engagement at work.
Present whines as wishes
Many employees expect their employers to take care of maintaining a pleasant atmosphere at work. It is completely normal to be dissatisfied with certain aspects of your work. Every now and then, all of us go through workdays feeling like the whole world is against you. However, what matters is how you express your thoughts and feelings.
“The key is to be able to present your complaints as wishes and as clearly formulated propositions”, said Ami Hemviken, one of Sweden’s leading speakers in leadership, behavior and communication. Thinking negatively leads nowhere and hinders improvement.
Present your complaints as wishes and as clearly formulated propositions.
This mode of behavior is common for 11% of employees in Sweden. Moreover, these employees are often disengaged in their work. According to Ami, you shouldn’t focus your energy to worrying about the negative attitude of others, as it may catch on.
Lead by example
Moreover, it is important to pay attention to the way managers work. They have a chance to lead by example, thus making the employees feel more committed to the workplace as well. In order to feel engaged, employees must feel that they have the freedom to put their creativity to use and develop themselves.
Having someone hovering over your shoulder looking for mistakes in the smallest of details does not generate engaged and creative employees. “Managers who are too focused on details make employees passive and smother creativity,” explained Ami.
A positive approach can inspire the people around you.
In addition, it is necessary for both the employees and the managers to express themselves in a more positive way. For instance, phrases such as “If we don’t take action to improve the indoor air of the workplace…” has a negative ring to it.
Tweaking your message to a more positive direction is not that hard, anyone can do it. Compare the former phrase with “If we invest in the quality of indoor air, we can increase productivity in the workplace”. Can you tell the difference?
A small yet significant difference can make a drastic change in the meaning of the message. The positive effect of the proposition inspires employees, instead of leading them to a path of negativity.
It is natural for people to react to threats around them. It is precisely because of this nature of ours that we experience negative comments as threats, and react with stress, as if planning our escape. This reaction leaves no room for creativity and excitement to flourish.
It is impossible to feel engaged if you feel under attack. A little consideration in how we express ourselves goes a long way in making ourselves and others feel better and more content.