The Science of Employee Engagement Craig Dowden, PhD

What is the State of Engagement?

Business Case for Engagement Highly engaged organizations 19% higher total shareholder return 26% higher employee productivity Lower risk of turnover Better suited to attract top talent Highly engaged employees Twice as likely to be top performers and miss 20% fewer days of work. Exceed expectations in performance reviews and are more supportive of organizational change initiatives

Show Me The Money!!

Paid Vs. Volunteer: Who Wins?

Show Me The Money!!??

Show Me The Money???

Show Me The Money??? “We find that financial incentives may indeed reduce intrinsic motivation and diminish ethical or other reasons for complying with workplace social norms such as fairness. As a consequence, the provision of incentives can result in a negative impact on overall performance.” Dr. Bernd Irlenbusch, London School of Economics

Show Me The Money? The Canadian Way Money was at the bottom of the list of primary job motivators “Canadians have made it clear that money really isn't everything….. Factors like learning and development, creativity and corporate culture have become true indicators of job satisfaction for today's working Canadians.” Workopolis President Patrick Sullivan

Show Me The Science!!!

Show Me The Science!!! Engagement Through Progress Goal-Setting Feedback Focus on the Positive Communication Purpose

1) Progress

1) Progress: Success Audit Exercise: Think about five different successes you had last week. What were they? “It is not enough to be busy; so are the ants. The question is: What are we busy about?” -Henry David Thoreau 13

2) Goal-Setting HARD goals Heartfelt: My goals will enrich the lives of somebody besides me Animated: I can vividly picture how great it will feel when I achieve my goals Required: My goals are absolutely necessary to help this company Difficult: I will have to learn new skills and leave my comfort zone to achieve my assigned goals for this year.

2) Goal-Setting Top 8 Factors I can vividly picture how great it will feel when I achieve my goals I will have to learn new skills to achieve my assigned goals for this year My goals are absolutely necessary to help this company I actively participated in creating my goals for this year I have access to any formal training that I will need to accomplish my goals My goals for this year will push me out of my comfort zone My goals will enrich the lives of somebody besides me (customers, the community, etc.) My goals are aligned with the organization’s top priorities for this year

3) Feedback Focus on the behaviour rather than the person Focus on the positive Be specific rather than vague/abstract Provide illustrations Global versus local Outline the impact and identify benefits of positive change Praise effort and strategy rather than outcome Connect the feedback to organizational objectives

EXERCISE: FEED-FORWARD

4) Focus On The Positive

4) Focus On The Positive Create your own motivational poster www.wigflip.com/automotivator

5) Communication Word Time Challenge Leadership

5) Communication “The danger in communication, is the illusion that it has been accomplished.” -George Bernard Shaw “ I know you think you understand what you thought I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant. ” -Alan Greenspan

6) Purpose

0% 77.4 % 6) Purpose Low Purpose High Purpose Always Engaged

6) Purpose

6) Purpose 3 Groups: Personal Benefit Control Group Task Significance

6) Purpose 3 Groups: Personal Benefit = Same Control Group = Same Task Significance = Pledges increased 9-23 = Donations increased 171%

6) Purpose

Show Me The Science!!! Engagement Through Progress Goal-Setting Feedback Focus on the Positive Communication Purpose

Questions and Comments Craig Dowden, PhD