Engaging Hearts and Minds: The Art of Effective Leadership Engagement

Star leaders can revolutionize the workplace by shaping the environment, enhancing communication, and fostering a culture of appreciation. A forward-thinking strategy, incorporating tech innovations and modern work models, focuses on personalized onboarding, impactful recognition, flexible talent mobility, inclusivity for deskless workers, and nurturing belonging. This approach drives commitment, trust, and improved business outcomes.

Continuous Learning and Growth?

Engaged leaders actively seek opportunities for professional development, encourage their team to learn and explore new ideas, provide resources and support to facilitate growth. Satya Nadella , who instilled Growth Mindset at Microsoft once said, "The learn-it-all does better than the know-it-all. The innovation and growth mindset is all about being deeply passionate and relentless about learning."

As I reflect on Growth Mindset, I feel fortunate to have such a wonderful Learning ecosystem around my team and me at ABG. State of the art Gyanodaya campus ( and also online Library) not only fulfills quest for learning but also connects one to some of the most brilliant minds in ABG and as well as in Academia !

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Collaboration and Inclusion

Krispy Kreme, almost a century old global Doughnut & Coffehouse chain, was searching for an all-in-one platform to consolidate its employee communications, benefits, and recognition in one location. They developed a centralized employee engagement tool called The KK Mixer, together with reward and recognition, communications, employee discounts, and onboarding materials, to efficiently reach its global employee base in more than 1400 locations working varying hours. MBLM, who invented “Brand Intimacy” rated Krispy Kreme #1 in Fast Food brand intimacy rankings in 2022 !

By fostering a culture of collaboration, leaders tap into the collective intelligence and creativity of their team, leading to innovative solutions, enhanced decision making and ultimately best in class performance !

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Active Listening and Empathy

In 2008, during a period of financial struggle, Howard Schultz returned to Starbucks as CEO and emphasized the importance of reconnecting with employees and customers. Schultz conducted listening tours, actively seeking feedback from store employees and patrons. This empathetic approach helped him understand the root of customer dissatisfaction and employee concerns, leading to initiatives such as retraining baristas on espresso-making and refocusing on customer experience. As a result, Starbucks regained customer loyalty and pulled itself out of 2008 financial meltdown !

Impact on Leadership

Gallup’s Q12 Meta Analysis conducted in 2020, shows that engaged teams are 23% more profitable. This increased profitability is due to higher productivity, better customer service, and lower turnover rates. This can have a huge knock-on effect on a business since satisfied customers can result in happier employees and profitability.

Howard Schultz’s focus on Active Listening at Starbucks and Satya Nadella’s emphasis on Growth Mindset culture at Microsoft are testimonies to this fact !

If the co-relation between Employee Engagement and Performance is so stark, what pulls leaders back ?

In my opinion, Leaders end up framing themselves in “either or” of Customer / Employee / Investor focus – knowing that there is bandwidth crunch if they focus on all 3 sides of this stakeholder triangle. Balance Scorecard Strategy Maps, conceptualized by Robert Kaplan & David Norton, provides good framework to link all 3 perspectives – Investors, Customers & Employees, thereby solving the “focus dilemma” for leaders. ?

Star Mindset

Adopting a star mindset includes leading with authenticity, building trust, and promoting continuous learning. It’s about being the kind of leader who inspires excellence simply by being genuine. Imagine a workplace where everyone feels empowered to bring their best selves to work every day. That’s the kind of environment that fosters true engagement.

3 Immediately Applicable Action Steps

1. Share your vision: Communicate your vision clearly and consistently, ensuring every team member understands and is motivated by it. A shared vision unites and drives the team forward.
2. Authentic relationships: Engage with your team on a personal level, showing genuine interest in their well-being and development. Remember, leadership is not about being in charge; it’s about taking care of those in your charge.
3. Align work with purpose: Clearly communicate how your team’s work contributes to the larger goals of the organization. Show them the impact of their efforts which enhances their sense of purpose and engagement.

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Conclusion

Employee Engagement is about emotional connect and commitment. It is super essential for fostering a thriving organizational culture and as Richard Branson wisely said “ Take care of your employees and they will take care of your business. “ ?

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Author[1]?:

Jeevan Pawar is Global Head of Supply Chain at Aditya Birla Advanced Materials. Empathetic leader managing multicultural global team, he has gone through the journey, from “Calling a spade a spade” to “ What we appreciate, appreciates – what we depreciate, depreciates”! Avid psychology enthusiast & Jazz lover!

Co-Author:

Coach Vikram is an Executive Presence Coach who helps CXOs and senior leaders to inspire and lead with impact. With a focus on shaping environments, enhancing communication, and fostering a culture of appreciation, Vikram empowers leaders to engage and motivate their teams for remarkable business outcomes. Connect with him to transform your leadership approach and drive success through meaningful engagement.

References

●???? Gallup Workplace, (2023). The Benefits of Employee Engagement.

●???? Oehler, Stomski, & Kustra-Olszewska, (2014). What Makes Someone an Engaging Leader. Harvard Business Review.

●???? Richard C., (2022). How kind leadership results in better recruitment, retention, collaboration, engagement, and innovation, Agility PR Solution LLC

●???? HBR Article : Having Trouble with Your Strategy? Then Map It , by Robert S. Kaplan and David P. Norton

●???? https://mblm.com/news/krispy-kreme-1-most-intimate-fast-food-brand-in-mblms-brand-intimacy-2022-study/

# Leadership #ExecutivePresence #Engagement #Influence #Growth