ENGAGE
‘EM
OR
LOSE ‘EM
Deb Dunbar  University Director
Organizational Development and Compensation Programs
Indiana University  [email protected]  812-855-4104
DOES EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT REALLY MATTER?
 Only
37% clearly knew the company’s
goals;
 Only 20% were enthusiastic about those
goals;
 Only 20% saw how they could support those
goals;
 Only 15% felt enabled to work towards
them;
 Only 20%fully trusted the company they
worked for.
Harris Poll
TRANSLATED:
4
players know which goal
2
care
2
know position expected to play
2
believe they will impact the outcome
 All
but 2 would just as happily cheer for
opposing team
A Few Other
Staggering
Statistics
The #1 reason people leave their jobs is the relationship
they have with their boss. – The Gallup Organization

21% of the global workforce is engaged; 38%
disengaged; 41% not sure. – Towers Perrin
Less than ½ of all Americans say they are satisfied with
their jobs. – The Conference Board
2 of 10 people feel they can use their strengths each day
at work. – Marcus Buckingham
Job
Full
Misery
Engagement
Anonymity
To be known/understood
The Three Signs of a Miserable Job. 2007. Patrick Lencioni.
Full
Engagement
To be known/understood
► Feeling appreciated, valued, and
important… as people.
► To “know” a person sincerely and
genuinely.
► People want their supervisors to be
interested in them as a “whole” person.
► Walk a mile in their shoes, see their
perspective.
Full
Engagement
► All people have a fundamental need to
know that their work matters to someone.
► When employees understand how they
impact others, they have a greater sense
of purpose and motivation.
Full
Engagement
► When employees have the ability to
measure their level of achievement and
accomplishment on a virtually daily basis.
► When employees receive “instantaneous,”
tangible feedback that what they do has a
measurable impact.
► Qualitative data is critical.
The Exit
Interview
•What about your job makes you jump out of bed in the
morning?
•What makes you hit the snooze button?
•If you were to win the lottery and resign, what would you
miss the most?
•What would be the one thing that, if it changed in your
current role, would make you consider moving on?
•If you had a magic wand, what would you change about
this department?
•If you had to go back to a position in your position in your
past and stay for an extended period of time, which one
would it be and why?
Other:
source: Love ‘em or Lose ‘em. 2008 (4th edition). Beverly Kaye and Sharon Jordan-Evans. Berrett-Koehler.