Employee engagement is a common phrase in business today. But what does it really mean? And why is it something anyone should care about?

Engagement simply means that the people on your team are invested, involved and enthusiastic about what they do. At the end of the day, a paycheque matters, but engagement is about wanting to do what they do for more than just money. It is about seeing the importance of what they do, the purpose.

And when people see the value in what they are doing, they stick to it. Ultimately, an engaged team will be more efficient and bring about better results, all while feeling accomplished and empowered.

At BNG, we use a tool called Engagement Multiplier. This survey platform allows us to anonymously gather feedback on a regular basis from our team members. As part of each standard survey, team members are asked what they can do to ensure they are staying engaged. Ultimately, engagement is the responsibility of each individual. You can’t have an engaged TEAM if each member of the team is not participating; not engaging.

So, how do each of us take accountability for our engagement? We turn to some of the suggestions from our team; the best source:

Be positive - being positive does not mean pretending negative does not exist. But it is recognizing that when times get tough or bad things happen, you have the capacity to rise above and weather the challenges. It is about how you choose to look at things, your mindset.

Take time to relate – even if it is just a quick moment, take time for your fellow team members. Stop to say hello or thank you, or buy someone a coffee, listen to their stories, or ask them for advice.

Support each other - when times get tough, the true value of a team shines. Support team members as they take on new roles or challenges, offer to help when times get busy, or provide encouragement when someone is down.

Do your job – be reliable; do what you say you will do when you say you will do it and do it to your best. Take accountability for your role in the team, because when you drop the ball, everyone on the team is affected. Own it; only you can effect change, you cannot make anyone else do it.

Get organized – review your workload, determine what deadlines you have, and make lists. Set goals, both personal and professional, and create a plan of what you need to get there.

Be informed – keep learning, asking questions, share information, ideas. Develop your skills so you are better equipped to support those around you.

Communicate – don’t just wait for communication to come from the top down, participate in keeping everyone informed. Hold team meetings, or offer to write blogs, articles or posts. Don’t wait for someone to communicate with you, communicate with them. And, if you want to know something, ask.

Get involved – be the first to sign up for those team events. Or be the one to plan them. Anyone can take the initiative to set up lunch and learns, team games or competitions, after-hours social events or participation in community fundraising activities.

Take Care – it is hard to accomplish anything, meet expectations, or be there for anyone else if you aren’t taking care of yourself first. Eat well, stay active, get rest, and make sure to do something fun on a regular basis.

So, go ahead, get engaged.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for general information only and is not intended as legal opinion or advice. The views and opinions expressed do not reflect the official position of BNG Bossy Nagy Group or any other affiliate.