Organizations understand the significance of having a highly engaged workforce. Knowing the traits of highly engaged employees and identifying them based on those traits are the first steps in recognizing and nurturing them.
A Gallup study has also concluded that organizations with highly engaged employees experience 21% greater profitability besides which they have 59% less turnover. Highly engaged employees seek regular feedback with 40% of them saying that they receive feedback at least once a week
There is no denying the fact that engagement levels of employees depend on a variety of factors.
The individual personality, background, and work ethics of the employees play an important role in deciding the engagement levels of employees.
In addition, their work environment, organizational values, and the level of support offered by their supervisors contribute significantly to enhancing their engagement.
While different organizations might use different measures to measure overall employee engagement, there are a few key traits that are common among employees who are highly engaged.
The seven most important of these employee engagement traits that organizations need to look out for are as follows:
1. A Focused Approach
2. Collaborative Outlook
3. Support New Employees
4. Follow A Disciplined Routine
5. Great Communication Skills
6. Flexibility To Adapt
7. Consistent Efficiency And Productivity
Employees with higher engagement levels are known to take a more focused approach to completing all assigned tasks and responsibilities.
Such employees pay great attention to every little detail and are keen to accomplish the goals set for them in the most efficient and timely manner.
They are eager to learn new skills and constantly seek new ways to solve problems and overcome challenges to complete their tasks.
Truly engaged employees tend to have a collaborative outlook.
More often than not, they voluntarily extend their help and support to their colleagues.
They understand the significance of working together to fulfill organizational goals effectively.
Often, employees share their knowledge and expertise with team members, contributing to a positive work environment.
They constantly work towards attaining the more significant goal to ensure better growth and profitability for their organization.
Employees with higher engagement levels tend to support new employees joining the organization.
They make every effort to make the new joiners feel comfortable in their new environment.
At the same time, they provide them with the necessary help and guidance to start working productively.
They tend to boost the morale and motivation of their less engaged coworkers and recruits.
One of the biggest qualities of engaged employees is that they work in a completely disciplined manner.
This does not mean these employees never socialize or have fun with their peers at work.
Instead, they ensure they complete their tasks more effectively without compromising their performance and efficiency.
Members of the workforce with higher engagement levels generally possess excellent communication skills.
They can express their ideas and opinions in a clear and precise manner, besides having great listening skills.
They pay attention to what others say and communicate effectively with their peers and superiors.
Their practical communication skills minimize the possibility of conflict with other team members due to miscommunication.
Employees with higher engagement levels are generally quite flexible with their approach and can adapt easily to changing business circumstances.
They are well aware that businesses evolve continually, and these changes impact the organization’s functioning.
Engaged employees adapt to new situations rather than making a fuss about them and spreading discord among other employees about the change.
The most engaged employees are often the most efficient and productive workforce.
They feel naturally motivated to give their best to every task assigned to them and do not shy away from seeking the help and support of their coworkers and superiors for the same.
This consistently improves the overall employee productivity and, eventually, the organization’s top-line and bottom-line.
Knowing the traits of highly engaged employees in an organization is important. Identifying and rewarding them is key to promoting such behaviors among other employees.
Lead author: Sagar Chaudhuri, the Co-Founder and CEO of HiFives. He is an HR Tech Evangelist with over 25 years of corporate and entrepreneurship experience. In the past, Sagar has worked in leadership roles with companies such as Genpact, Infosys, and ICICI Bank. He has an engineering degree from IIT Kharagpur and an MBA from IIM Lucknow. Connect on LinkedIn
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