Marie Genevieve Pawlak is the founder of Prime Alchemy, a leading expert in game-based learning and organizational health, which provides people with the tools they need to find value and purpose in their work. The Prime Alchemy team works to develop programs that really engage people.
This article explores how leaders can foster employee engagement by creating an environment where trust, growth, inclusion, empowerment, and appreciation thrive, using an orchestra conductor analogy to illustrate the key elements of a successful workplace.
The premise: Engagement isn’t a solo act
In the bustling world of business, leaders often feel the weight of the world on their shoulders, primarily when tasked with the elusive goal of "creating engagement." But here's the secret: engagement isn’t a solo act. It's a symphony. And like any great conductor, your role is to set the stage and guide the orchestra, not to play every instrument yourself.
The conductor’s cut: Shifting the focus
Imagine you’re the maestro of a world-renowned Orchestra. You don’t have to play every instrument; you just need to create the right environment for your symphony to shine. Here’s how you can orchestrate this masterpiece, ensuring your team hits all the right notes while adhering to the Prime Alchemy Value Circle.
Critical elements to focus on
1. Trust and psychological safety
Create a space where your team feels safe to share their wild ideas and take risks. When people aren’t afraid of the “boogeyman of judgment,” they’re more likely to be engaged. Trust is your sheet music—it’s the foundation of any great work.
2. Opportunities for growth
Think of learning and development as the special effects that make your score unforgettable. When your team has the proper support, they can perform their roles to the fullest and make the whole production shine.
3. Inclusive environment
Ensure everyone feels like they’re part of the orchestra. An inclusive environment where every voice matters can hit all the right notes for engagement. It’s like having an ensemble cast where every character, no matter how small, is essential to the opera's plot.
4. Empowerment
Your job as a leader is the vision and the why. Your team's job is the how. When people feel trusted to make decisions, they’re more invested in the journey. Think of it as giving your players the freedom to design the journey while you focus on the outcomes—it can lead to some of the best scenes.
5. Feedback and appreciation
Don’t skimp on the high-fives and shout-outs. Regular, constructive feedback helps your team fine-tune their performance, while genuine appreciation makes them feel like rockstars. After all, even the best musicians need a standing ovation now and then.
The value circle: Measuring engagement
What is our Value Circle? It is a simple way to measure engagement without spending thousands on surveys. How? By assessing four key areas:
Me: Do I see value in the work that I do?
Peers: Do others see value in the work that I do?
Those We Service: Do my clients/employees see value in the work that I do?
The Company: Does the leadership see value in the work that I do?
Because engagement is based on perception, using these questions always helps you understand how valued someone feels and their view of their work.
For each "yes," you get 25%; if you answer “Yes” to all four questions, you're 100% engaged. For each "no," you lose 25% of engagement. By fostering the right environment, you’re helping everyone achieve those "yes" answers across the board.
The finale: Bringing it all together
Remember, engagement isn’t about being the star of the show; it’s about creating a platform where everyone can be their best selves. By focusing on trust, growth, inclusion, empowerment, and appreciation, you’re setting the stage for a performance that will captivate audiences (and your team) time and time again.
So, take a deep breath, put on your conductor’s hat, and get ready to watch your team flourish. Engagement is a symphony, and your team will create a masterpiece that resonates far and wide with the right environment. Ready to dive deeper into creating a truly engaged team?
Marie Genevieve Pawlak, Managing Principal Prime Alchemist
Marie Genevieve Pawlak is the founder of Prime Alchemy, a leading expert in game-based learning and organizational health, which provides people with the tools they need to find value and purpose in their work. The Prime Alchemy team works to develop programs that really engage people. Through play. Game-based programs use your own tasks and projects, so you never get behind schedule. Marie believes in organizational health as a way to build a better workplace. Healthy organizations outperform their competitors, are free of politics, have higher transparency, and encourage star performers to stay. Prime Alchemy is a division of Planning101 Group Corp.
