Employee Engagement through Storytelling

Employee Experience Storytelling

Employee engagement storytelling is a great way to keep employees engaged and motivated. By sharing stories of employee engagement, managers can remind employees of why they are engaged in their work and what the benefits are. Stories can also help to connect employees with each other, and with the company culture.

Three key steps to a more engaged workplace culture

Employee engagement storytelling can also help to build a sense of community among employees. When employees feel connected to each other, they are more likely to work together cooperatively and be more productive. In addition, storytelling can help to create a sense of identity for employees and can give them a sense of belonging to the company.

Employee engagement storytelling is a great way to show employees that their work is valued and appreciated. Organizational storytelling is the sharing of narratives by organizations in order to create a sense of identity and alignment among employees. A strong organizational story can help to create a sense of community, purpose, and a common identity among employees and can also bolster employee engagement.

Internal alignment can be created and bolstered amongst teams by helping them tell regular stories about their progress as a firm towards the fulfillment of their goal and mission. This can be done through the use of storytelling tools such as video, social media, and even monthly or quarterly reports. By sharing these stories, employees will feel more connected to the organization and its goals, which can lead to increased motivation and productivity. 

Wellbeing is critical in the workplace

A recent study by Gallup showed that only 29 percent of employees in the United States are engaged in their jobs. This means that more than two-thirds of American employees are not putting their best foot forward, costing their companies millions of dollars in lost productivity each year. While there are many possible explanations for this lackluster engagement, one of the most common is a lack of understanding among employees about how their work contributes to the organization's overall goals.

How to improve employee engagement through storytelling

In order to combat a disengaged workplace culture, many organizations are now taking a more holistic approach to communication, helping employees to see the big picture and understand how their individual roles fit into it. By providing regular updates on what the company is doing and where it is going, as well as sharing stories about how a company is progressing towards its goals and the fulfillment of its core mission.

One way to do this is by sharing achievements that highlight from various teams within a company, regardless of its size, and craft into a story that's distributed to employees on a regular basis (e.g., biweekly). Quarterly or company-wide meetings can feel like a necessary evil, but they don't have to be dry and boring. One way to make them more engaging is to focus on real-life success stories from various teams within the company. This can help employees feel more connected to the company as a whole, and it can also give them some great ideas for ways to improve their own work.

It's important to select stories that are both inspiring and instructional. For example, if a team has successfully completed a difficult project, you might want to highlight how they did it. This type of story can help other employees learn from the team's successes and failures.

This helps tell a team where their company's internal alignment is and how what they're doing is contributing to the overall growth and advancement of the company and its mission. See an example here and here.

An organizational alignment survey is an important tool for any business, large or small. This helps tell a team where their company's internal alignment is and how what they're doing is contributing to the overall growth and advancement of the company and its mission. It can help identify any areas of misalignment and give management the information they need to course correct. While not a perfect tool, it can be a valuable resource for any organization looking to improve its collective performance and sharing the results as short stories weekly may considerably improve employee engagement and alignment with its mission.

Top 5 Questions About Employee Engagement Answered

1. What is the best way to get employees engaged? 

There is no easy answer when it comes to getting employees engaged. However, some methods that have been shown to be successful include communication, recognition, and training and development opportunities. It is important for employers to find what works best for their organization and employees, and to continually update and adapt their approach to ensure engagement remains high.  

2. What are some good ways to keep employees engaged? 

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best ways to keep employees engaged will vary depending on the individual employees' needs and preferences. However, some commonly suggested methods for keeping employees engaged include providing challenging and interesting work, offering opportunities for growth and development, fostering a positive and supportive work environment, and recognizing employees' accomplishments.  

3. What are some common reasons why employees become disengaged?

There are many reasons why an employee may become disengaged, but some of the most common reasons are feeling unvalued or unsupported by their manager, not feeling challenged in their role, or feeling that their work is not contributing to the overall success of the company. Other reasons may include feeling that their work is overly repetitive or that they are not given adequate training or development opportunities. 

4. How can employers measure employee engagement? 

Employers can measure employee engagement through a variety of methods, including surveys, interviews, and focus groups. One common way to measure employee engagement is to ask employees how strongly they feel about their job, their company, and their co-workers. It is especially important to be able to have the data at your fingertips, such as through an HR dashboard. 

5. What are some techniques for improving employee engagement? 

There are many techniques for improving employee engagement, but some of the most common are:

  • Offering financial incentives
  • Offering training and development opportunities
  • Creating a positive work environment
  • Communicating effectively with employees
  • Encouraging employee input and feedback (e.g., with regular story sharing, beachcombing, or even innovation days)

For more tips like this, check out our Employee Experience section for free HR webinars and training!

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