“Why do I need to come into the office?”

A question many staff are asking – implicitly and explicitly.

While it’s no secret that most companies struggle with how to keep their employees engaged and motivated, the findings from recent Microsoft research tell us there are some critical needs for staff which leaders need to be mindful of:

a) A positive work culture where people feel belongingness;

b) Mental health benefits including stress reduction programs or paid time off so workers can take care of themselves without worrying about losing income;

c) A sense of purpose; and

d) Flexible hours and work arrangements

Staff engagement and company success go hand-in-hand. If you’re not scoring exceptionally high on these 4 parameters then it will be difficult to attain the highest staff level of commitment, which is essential for driving desired behaviours within your organisation’s workforce.

I believe the answer is three parts:

1. Senior Leadership Team High Trust for High Performance. To be successful, leaders need to build a culture that is built on trust and engagement. The key point of this approach will be for members within the senior leadership team (including executives) work together as one cohesive unit by developing their own individual strategies while still staying true to what’s best company-wide. Achieving success requires building strong relationships between each other which can only happen if there is alignment over shared purpose. This will enable you to think more deeply about employee engagement, take time to redesign hybrid work, create initiatives that increase connection and inclusion.

2. Upskilling managers with the vital leadership skills. The voices and needs of staff should be a priority for managers, so it’s important that they are empowered with the leadership skills necessary to hear these messages to not only so you get more done, but also because it’s the right thing to do!

3. Enhancing staff resilience and belongingness. I think most people would agree that all staff need to feel a sense of purpose and belonging through initiatives which provide the psychological safety needed for them thrive in their work. In addition, this will help cultivate resilience skills as well as foster an environment where individuals can be autonomous, masterful and connected. It’s important to find out what motivates each individual person so they can be most productive- which may differ from one another depending upon their personality type, values and beliefs, or needs!

If you are a leader or decision maker in your organisation, get in touch with me to explore which of these factors are most urgent and important for your people and organisation. Happy to help! 

Email me at: [email protected] or call me direct on 0413606747 and let’s talk

Sleiman “Slayman” Abou-Hamdan