EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT COMMUNICATION
Singapore - Leaders need to advocate an open and honest two-way communication at work to win employees' hearts and influence their productivity levels.
Speaking at the Employee Engagement: Good People, Great Work event this morning, chairman and CEO of Dale Carnegie & Associates Peter Handal said honest communication is key to winning employees' trust. Invited by the American Chamber of Commerce of Singapore as a guest speaker, Handal said the high level of distrust found among employees of their bosses is worrying, especially in politically unsound economies like Vietnam.
Leaders have to be good listeners if they want employees "putting their heart and soul into work". Bosses should not only listen to their customers and rivals, but also give their employees opportunities to be heard. Handal said, "You have two ears and one mouth, and as long as you use them in that proportion, you'll be fine."
Citing the recent recession when many employees doubted their companies' HR policies, Handal said leaders should always be transparent about the organisation's plans in front of their teams. Good business leaders would "give an honest answer in the face of uncertainty", he said. When leaders talk openly about facts or any ongoing in the company, workers are more likely to trust them and not be disillusioned by unfavourable external factors, such as an economic downturn, Handal said.
Even when employees fail to meet expectations, managers need to first listen to their explanations. "We can't shoot some people just because they make a mistake," said Handal.
But how can an organisation with high numbers of headcount extend their reach to every individual? Handal said the concept of communication is not a "one-time event". "Communicating once, or even twice isn't enough, you have to do it over and over again."
Handal also advises HR to pay attention to other factors directly impacting the level of employee engagement in a company. They include compensation, work-life balance, the amount of recognition received and job satisfaction.
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