Employee engagement is high on the business agenda these days as we seek to overcome the challenges of volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity.
Every week we see brilliant tips to improve employee engagement. When we look closely at them all we see they resemble Frederick Herzberg’s Dual Theory of 1959, sometimes called the Two-Factor Theory. This includes Daniel Pink’s work on workplace motivation.
The theory has its academic critics, based mainly on the reality that some people are motivated differently and have different needs, thus the factors are not uniformly applicable.
Despite that criticism, experienced leaders and employees will readily recognise the value of the factors.
In dealing with diversity in the workplace, the wise leader will ensure all factors are considered and present.
Herzberg’s Theory contains Hygiene factors (those needed for satisfaction) and Motivation factors.
Here are the hygiene factors:
- Supervision – effective, supportive, consistent
- Policy & Admin – helpful, effective
- Relationship with supervisor – open, honest & supportive
- Work conditions – enables best work to be done
- Salary – enough not to be an issue
- Relations with peers – civil, cooperative, communicative
- Personal life – issues are helped with
- Relations with subordinates – civil, cooperative, communicative
- Security – know where they stand
- Status – perceived value
Here are the motivation factors:
- Personal Growth – useful relevant development
- Advancement – clarity of a positive future
- Responsibility – empowered relevant to their role, autonomy
- Work Itself – interesting and challenging, passion for the work
- Recognition - actually expressed & meant
- Achievement - positive experience, mastery
If leaders were engaged sufficiently and effectively, ensuring that all the above factors were authentically in place, what do you think the level of employee engagement would be?
If employees are engaged, appreciated and motivated to perform highly, how will they treat customers?
How well would they embrace the continuous changes and challenges of today’s workplace environment?
What can you do to apply these ideas?
