09-16-2021
Gallup reports that overall, 36% of employed Americans(1) are engaged by their work, while only 25% of manufacturing workers are engaged.(2) That makes manufacturing the least engaged job classification in the U.S.
And with that lack of focus and interest comes poor productivity.
It’s important to learn why employees are disengaged to determine how to improve your culture and enhance performance.
Analyzing Engagement
People who work in a negative environment tend to feel like their contributions aren’t valued, which causes them to focus only on doing their specific task and no more than that.
But when you provide a positive culture in which team members enjoy coming to work, feel appreciated, and perform knowing that their efforts are recognized and matter, your company will be more successful and keep customers happier.
And it is critical to remember that employee engagement is a two-way street.
Forbes reports that engaged bosses are 59% more likely to have engaged team members. When managers nurture a healthy employee-manager relationship, both parties feel supported and experience higher productivity and job satisfaction.
Engaged leaders tend to meet more regularly with their teams, ask for constructive feedback, and focus on each team member’s strengths to help them grow.
Flipping Sour Employees
If your employees are disconnected, here are a few techniques to tweak your culture and improve engagement:
· Include team members in meetings and the decision-making process.
· Ask for feedback regularly and tell employees how their feedback is used.
· Thoroughly communicate how each job impacts company goals. Ensure team members have clear expectations and priorities.
· Create paths for job advancement, education and training. Encourage team members to try things outside their comfort zones.
· Connect your team with customers by inviting customers to visit your factory and meet everyone.
Studying Success
The culture at high-performing manufacturers typically includes:
Open communication: Team members understand the company’s mission, core values and performance metrics and how their job impacts the company’s success. There is an atmosphere of transparency and trust.
Autonomy: Team members have reasonable control over their jobs.
Accountability: Everyone provides input on how to be accountable, which creates higher engagement. Managers reward team members who meet goals and address employees who aren’t performing well.
Having fun: The team is brought together regularly in positive ways to show appreciation, like team-building events, ice cream socials and pizza parties. Individual and company successes are celebrated.
To learn more about the effects of culture in manufacturing, click here to read our white paper. Need to start a light pole order? Let’s talk about it.
(2) https://news.gallup.com/businessjournal/218549/keys-boosting-workplace-culture-manufacturing.aspx
