The 3 pillars of employee engagement

Employee engagement is one of the principal aspect of any successful business, as it can impact an employee's productivity, job satisfaction, and overall well-being. William Kahn identifies, in 1990, the 3 pillars that are particularly crucial for promoting employee engagement: Meaningfulness, Psychological Safety and Availability.

Meaningfulness

Employees are more likely to be engaged in their work when they find it meaningful and purposeful. This means that they see the value in what they are doing and feel that it aligns with their personal values and goals. Employers can promote meaningfulness by clearly communicating the purpose and mission of the company, and by providing opportunities for employees to make a meaningful impact through their work.

Psychological safety

Employees need to feel safe and supported in order to be engaged in their work. This includes feeling that they can speak up and share their ideas without fear, and that they can rely on their colleagues and supervisors for support. Employers can promote psychological safety by creating a positive and inclusive work culture, and by providing resources and support for employees to address any issues or concerns they may have.

Availability

Employees need to have the resources and support they need to effectively do their jobs. This includes access to the tools, technology, and training they need to succeed, as well as clear communication and guidance from their supervisors. The objective is to reduce irritants and make sure that the job can be run smoothly. Employers can promote availability by ensuring that employees have the necessary resources and support, and by providing regular feedback and opportunities for development.

We have created a tool that sums up the different levers you can use to improve employee engagement, find it below.?

On this graph, you can see the different levers you can act on to increase employee engagement. Next to each lever, you can see a percentage that represents the direct impact between the lever and engagement. These percentages are the result of a set of several studies compiled together.?

Overall, by focusing on these three pillars of employee engagement, employers can create a positive and supportive work environment that promotes employee well-being and productivity.

Source: Employee engagement in theory and practice, edited by Catherine Truss, Rick Delbridge, Kerstin Alfes, Amanda Shantz and Emma Soane.?