Engagement is a social science

Humans are social creatures. A major reason people stay in an organisation is because of Engagement Driver 5: ‘Relationships', they have good, positive, open and collaborative relationships between leaders, co-workers, teams and even clients/customers. The stronger the relationship links the more people will be engaged.

It is up to the CEO and managers of the organisation to constantly create ways of strengthening the bonds between people.

It can be challenging. Everyone is increasingly busy, so the quick impersonal email can be easier than a face-to-face chat or phone call. Many people travel for work, are out on the road or work remotely so, again, connections and personal links can be increasingly challenging.

Friday drink - Out the door?

Let's face it, these days many people prefer to go home and spend more time with friends or family than stick around for the old traditional Friday drinks. But to have increased employee engagement, this is just the type of thing businesses need more of, having their people feel they have friends at work and are part of a ‘family'.

Enhancing relationships

• Look for fun, quick excuses to get people together like celebrating birthdays with an office cake

• Have informal manager/CEO lunches

• Open plan offices

• Personality profiling for your team to better understand strengths and differences e.g. Myers Briggs

• Team building days may sound like a cliché but, if done well, can work

• Social club organiser

• One day a year all support a charity

• Have a fun business newsletter