The Truth about Talent: A guide to building a dynamic workforce, realizing potential and helping leaders succeed

Chapter 7. Engaging With Talent

It is often said that people don't leave their employer, they leave their boss. In other words, people need to be led so they are fully engaged with their work. In this chapter we discuss how leaders can best relate to their colleagues. How do you know them and what do they think? Above all, how can leaders make sure their people are engaged, even inspired, and enthusiastic about their work? What is often needed is an understanding of why engagement matters and what it can accomplish, as well as other practical measures.

Employee engagement: what it is and why it matters

The thinking behind employee engagement is simple. If people in organizations are actively engaged with their work – not simply motivated, but valuing what they are doing and striving to do it better at all times – then they will be more productive for the organization, as well as more fulfilled and likely to achieve personal career success.

The logic and evidence for this view is compelling: it works, and works well. The challenge, however, is to move from a situation where people might (or might not) be simply happy and motivated, to one where they are actively loyal, committed and engaged with their work. The first part of this toolkit explains how employee engagement works and why it is so significant, giving examples of firms that have developed and benefited from greater engagement. The second part provides practical techniques to help you generate greater employee engagement within ...