Craig Dowden, PhD

The Science of Employee Engagement

WHAT IS THE STATE OF ENGAGEMENT?

BUSINESS CASE FOR ENGAGEMENT

Highly engaged organizations19% higher total shareholder return26% higher employee productivityLower risk of turnoverBetter suited to attract top talent

Highly engaged employeesTwice as likely to be top performers and miss 20% fewer days of work.Exceed expectations in performance reviews and are more supportive of organizational change initiatives

SHOW ME THE MONEY!!

PAID VS. VOLUNTEER: WHO WINS?

VS.

SHOW ME THE MONEY!!??

SHOW ME THE MONEY???

“We find that financial incentives may indeed reduce intrinsic motivation and diminish ethical or other reasons for complying with workplace social norms such as fairness. As a consequence, the provision of incentives can result in a negative impact on overall performance.”

Dr. Bernd Irlenbusch, London School of Economics

SHOW ME THE MONEY???

Money was at the bottom of the list of

primary job motivators

“Canadians have made it clear that money really isn't everything….. Factors like learning and development, creativity and corporate culture have become true indicators of job satisfaction for today's working Canadians.”

Workopolis President Patrick Sullivan

SHOW ME THE MONEY? THE CANADIAN WAY

SHOW ME THE SCIENCE!!!

Engagement Through1) Progress2) Goal-Setting3) Feedback4) Focus on the Positive5) Communication6) Purpose

SHOW ME THE SCIENCE!!!

1) PROGRESS

Exercise: Think about five different successes you had last week. What were they?

“It is not enough to be busy; so are the ants. The question is: What are we busy about?”

-Henry David Thoreau

1) PROGRESS: SUCCESS AUDIT

HARD goals Heartfelt: My goals will enrich the

lives of somebody besides me Animated: I can vividly picture how

great it will feel when I achieve my goals

Required: My goals are absolutely necessary to help this company

Difficult: I will have to learn new skills and leave my comfort zone to achieve my assigned goals for this year.

2) GOAL-SETTING

Top 8 Factors

I can vividly picture how great it will feel when I achieve my goals

I will have to learn new skills to achieve my assigned goals for this year

My goals are absolutely necessary to help this company I actively participated in creating my goals for this year I have access to any formal training that I will need to

accomplish my goals My goals for this year will push me out of my comfort

zone My goals will enrich the lives of somebody besides me

(customers, the community, etc.) My goals are aligned with the organization’s top priorities

for this year

2) GOAL-SETTING

Focus on the behaviour rather than the person Focus on the positive Be specific rather than vague/abstract Provide illustrations Global versus local Outline the impact and identify benefits of

positive change Praise effort and strategy rather than outcome Connect the feedback to organizational objectives

3) FEEDBACK

EXERCISE:FEED-

FORWARD

4) FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE

Create your own motivational poster

www.wigflip.com/automotivator

4) FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE

Word Time Challenge

Leadership

5) COMMUNICATION

“The danger in communication, is the illusion that it has been

accomplished.” -George Bernard Shaw

“ I know you think you understand what you thought I said, but I'm not sure

you realize that what you heard is not what I meant. ” -Alan Greenspan

5) COMMUNICATION

6) PURPOSE

Low Purpose High Purpose

77.4 %

0%Always

EngagedAlways

Engaged

6) PURPOSE

6) PURPOSE

3 Groups:1. Personal Benefit2. Control Group3. Task Significance

6) PURPOSE

3 Groups:

1. Personal Benefit = Same

2. Control Group = Same

3. Task Significance = Pledges increased 9-23= Donations increased 171%

6) PURPOSE

6) PURPOSE

Engagement Through1) Progress2) Goal-Setting3) Feedback4) Focus on the Positive5) Communication6) Purpose

SHOW ME THE SCIENCE!!!

Craig Dowden, PhD

Questions and Comments