Why Empathetic Employee Listening Matters Now More Than Ever

Knowing how to engage employees is one of the most important aspects of managing a successful company. If a company or organization’s management is aware of the level of zeal its employees have for their work, it will have an advantage over competitors.

As a manager, you want the people on your team to be proud of the company they work for and the job they produce. People that work with a purpose give their best, which can only progress the goals of your organization. So it’s important to take into account all aspects of why people work and what drives them to do so.

If you are in management, getting to know your staff is key to making an accurate assessment of their level of engagement. You could be wondering how much your employees care about the future of the business. Are they devoted to fostering its development and success? If you’re not yet aware of the answers, that’s okay. You can learn how to engage staff members as well as why empathetic employee listening matters now more than ever.

What is Employee Engagement?

Measuring employee engagement involves more than just gauging how much a person enjoys their work. Measuring an employee’s level of engagement can help you determine how committed they are to the business and its success. It reflects their level of motivation and commitment to the job at hand.

An employee must be motivated to work hard towards a shared objective that is consistent with the company’s vision to be considered engaged. They will be devoted to the principles that guide their company. Employees who are motivated at work will be aware of and comprehend the goals of their employment.

Understanding the amount of engagement is the first step in making use of this information. The next action is to improve employee engagement inside the company or organization. As a manager, you can overcome one obstacle to success by creating a staff that is not only happy but also engaged and driven to produce.

Employers who adopt an employee engagement strategy can confidently claim that their workforce has confidence in their management and that they believe the business treats everyone fairly and respectfully. When attentive and caring managers collaborate with highly engaged staff in the business itself, all parts of your organization thrive. It allows productivity to increase, customer satisfaction to rise, and worker competency to reach new heights.

Why Empathetic Employee Listening is Important?

While some managers might believe that having content employees is enough, maintaining high levels of employee engagement and listing to the employees is essential for several reasons. When your employees are motivated, there are positive attitudes present at work.

Data from several studies show that employee engagement entails more than merely appreciating one’s job and wanting to do well at it. These studies give you a more in-depth understanding of why your business strategy must include employee engagement. They demonstrate the significance of this practice and how its benefits go beyond merely boosting output. For instance:

• According to a 2006 Conference Board research, engaged workers perform approximately 28% better than disengaged ones.
• A study conducted in 2009 by Towers Watson found that businesses with higher employee engagement levels had 9% better shareholder returns.
• According to a 2009 survey from the Centre for Creative Leadership, 80% of employees who have greater levels of management trust are more dedicated to the company than 25% of employees with lower levels of management trust.
• According to a 2011 Gallup survey performed in Germany, employees who are more engaged at work miss 3.5 fewer days of work on average than disengaged employees.

The data is in, and it clearly shows the benefits of listing to your empathetic employees and putting employee engagement practices in place.

Advantages of Employee Engagement

There are several benefits of employee engagement. When workers are motivated, internal conflicts are reduced, if not eliminated, and the work environment is improved. Engaged employees feel like they are a part of the team and collaborate to make your business successful. Other benefits include the following:

• Greater Output From the Workforce: According to research, engaged workers are 17% more productive than their peers. They are more inclined to put in extra time and effort at their jobs.
• Better Employee Retention: A motivated employee won’t need to hunt for employment elsewhere. Engaged employees quit their jobs less frequently because they feel appreciated for their contributions. They see opportunities for both career and personal growth.
• Enhanced Customer Satisfaction: According to 72% of executives, businesses with highly engaged staff also have satisfied clients. Engaged employees place a high value on their customers, and thus, their jobs.
• Lower Absenteeism Rates: Employees who are dedicated to your objective will turn up. At highly engaged workplaces, absenteeism is 41% lower.

Therefore, the simple answer to why empathetic employee listening matters now more than ever is because it encourages your staff to be productive and call in sick less frequently.