Creating a culture where employees succeed is easier than you might think.
It’s tough to find good people. And it’s tough to keep them engaged throughout the day. Today’s world of digital distractions and instant information creates a challenging environment for workplaces up and down the spectrum.
We have an opportunity to create an environment where employees want to do their best work — this is good for them, good for us and good for the clients we serve. It’s a win-win-win situation.
At SEH we foster an environment where employees are given not only the tools for success, but the attitudes as well.
Jackie put together seven important tips for engaging employees:
1. ASK WHAT’S IMPORTANT. There’s no better way to find out what motivates your employees than to ask them yourself. Sometimes a simple conversation is all you need to head your employees in the right direction.
2. WHEN YOU ASK, RESPOND. Quickly. Let people know that you’re listening, and what they’ve said is important to you. There’s no easier way to build a good rapport with your staff than to simply let them know you are listening.
3. GET TO KNOW YOUR EMPLOYEES. Find out what makes them tick. Find out what they like to do outside the office, what sports teams they like, what’s their family dynamic. Being able to relate to your employees this way will create a friendly dynamic that will go a long way.
4. RECOGNIZE. RECOGNIZE. RECOGNIZE. Look for opportunities to provide meaningful and specific recognition. Go beyond the simple “Nice Job!” Be specific as to what you value. You’ll see more of it.
5. DON’T BE SCARY. Nobody likes to be yelled at, and nobody likes to be talked down to. It’s kind of the Golden Rule here — when your employees feel respected, they’ll have better attitudes and you’ll see greater productivity too.
6. TAKE A LOOK IN THE MIRROR. Are you engaged at work? Are you having fun? Your employees will mirror what they see you doing. If you want an engaged staff, be engaged yourself.
7. SET GOALS. It’s best to set short-term goals that your staff can hit quickly. When they see they’re accomplishing something, they will likely want to accomplish more. And when a team sees they are completing goals, they will be more likely to push each other.
Getting your employees engaged throughout the work day is easier than you think. Take a quick look at how you’re doing things, and with a few easy tweaks, you’ll see greater productivity in no time.
Here’s what some of our employees said were reasons they valued working for SEH and how it increased their engagement.
![]() - Jacque Gamet, LEED GA |
![]() - Luke Pederson |
![]() - Mark Dierling, PE (Retired) |
![]() - AJ Masuen |
![]() - Lindsey Roberts McKenzie, PE |
![]() - Tara Krista, PE |
![]() - Mark Broses, PE |
![]() - Justin Gese, PE |
To learn more, contact Jackie Zamorano at jzamorano@sehinc.com.
Companies with engaged employees outperform those without by up to 202%
Source: Gallup
At SEH, our people define us. You are the reason we lead the industry. Explore open positions, our culture and what “100% employee-owned” means for your career. Connect with your Recruitement Team.
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