Ushering in a New Era: Why Employee Connection to Values, Culture, and Strategy Surpasses Traditional Employee Engagement
John Coburn
Entrepreneur, Founder. We’re here to help! Creating the World’s First Employee Connection Platform I Performance Management I HR I Talent Intelligence I Organisation Development I Employee Experience
The concept of employee engagement has dominated workplace discourse for years. We've been taught that engaged employees are the key to organisational success—boosting productivity, retention, and overall morale.
While engagement is crucial, it is no longer enough in today's fast-evolving workplace. As leaders, we must look deeper and embrace a new model: ??
Employee Connection to Values, Culture, and Strategy.
This article will explore why the traditional employee engagement model is failing and why the future lies in fostering a deeper, more holistic connection between employees and the organisations they work for.
The Limits of Employee Engagement
While employee engagement emphasises emotional commitment and job satisfaction, it tends to focus on individual motivation and task-level performance.
Engagement surveys often track happiness, satisfaction, and short-term output. However, research reveals concerning gaps in the efficacy of employee engagement efforts.
According to ?Gallup’s 2023 Global Workplace Report , only ?23% of employees globally are engaged at work.
That means more than three-quarters of employees are either disengaged or indifferent to their jobs.
What is the Impact of Employee Engagement on Productivity?
Low engagement costs companies worldwide an estimated ??$7.8 trillion in lost productivity annually.
These numbers highlight a stark reality: while we invest in improving engagement, the real challenge remains unaddressed.
I believe employees are seeking purpose, alignment, and a sense of belonging within the organisation—a connection beyond mere engagement.
INTRODUCING EMPLOYEE CONNECTION TO VALUES, CULTURE AND STRATEGY
Employee connection moves beyond basic engagement, building stronger bonds by aligning employees with the values, culture, and strategy of the organisation.
I believe, that when employees feel connected to the core identity and mission of their company, they will experience:
Greater Purpose: Employees understand the "why" behind their work. They see how their daily tasks contribute to the bigger picture and feel part of something meaningful.
Long-Term Commitment: Whereas engagement can fluctuate based on satisfaction levels, connection fosters lasting dedication because it speaks to an employee's personal beliefs and values.
Cultural Alignment? : Employees are more likely to uphold and perpetuate a company's culture when they are deeply connected to it. This creates a cohesive work environment where teamwork and innovation flourish.
Better Outcomes of Employee Connection
The benefits of fostering a strong employee connection are evident: - ?
Higher ?Productivity: A study from Bettup (The Connection Crisis: Why Community Matters in the New World of Work), found that employees who are connected at work experience 34% higher goal attainment and 92% higher professional growth.
Overall Performance: In a 2023 survey by Eagle Hill Consulting, employees said feeling connected at work improved their ability to do their job (60%), their work quality (58%), and their ability to serve customers (47%).
Greater Engagement: ?Employees who experience regular, meaningful connections with their managers are more engaged at?work.
?Our research shows that:
·???????? Employee Connection is responsible for 62% of the variance in Employee Engagement.
·???????? Employee Connection is responsible for 42% of the variance in Inter-Team Collaboration.
·???????? Employee Connection is responsible for 64% ?of the variance in ?Team Goals
·???????? Employee Connection is responsible for 54% of the variance in Meaningful Work.
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·???????? Employee Connection is responsible for 45% of the variance in Team Respect
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Why Employee Connection Matters Now More Than Ever
Today's workforce is driven by a desire for meaning and belonging.
Millennials and Gen Z, who now form a large part of the global workforce, consistently seek roles that align with their personal values and contribute to a greater cause.
The pandemic has only heightened this demand, as employees reassess their priorities and demand more from their employers than simple job satisfaction.
Traditional employee engagement strategies—annual surveys, token gestures, and surface-level perks—fall short of addressing this shift.
Employees are asking, ??"How do I fit into the bigger picture?"
CONNECTION IS THE ANSWER!
The future of work depends on companies that can foster a deep sense of alignment between their employees and the organisation’s values, culture, and strategy.
The New Era of Employee Connection.
?At ?EMPConnect, we are introducing a new industry standard for the global workforce, focused on employee connection to values, culture, and strategy.
We believe these three elements form the pillars of a thriving workforce. It’s not enough to simply keep employees happy for a moment—we must connect them to the core of what our organisations stand for.
By empowering employees to understand, embrace, and embody company values, we are working towards creating a workforce that thrives on shared purpose and collaboration.
We are ushering in a new era—one where the workforce is connected, committed, and positioned to drive meaningful organisational change and performance.
The data is clear. The future is not just about engagement—it’s about connection.
A ??connected workforce is a resilient workforce, one that is adaptable to change and aligned to drive success well beyond quarterly goals.
The Call for Action
Now is the time for us as leaders to shift our mindsets. The old model of employee engagement is no longer sufficient.
?As we navigate an increasingly complex world of work, where teams are more distributed than ever, remote and hybrid models are the new norm, ?employee connection to the company’s values, culture, and strategy must be our primary focus.
By fostering these deeper connections, we build more than just productive teams—we build a legacy of connected, fulfilled, and aligned individuals who will steer our organisations toward long-term success.
Employee connection transcends mere employment and engagement; it signifies a profound, emotional bond that empowers employees to be more committed, motivated, innovative, and perform at their best.
Let’s Connect!
References:
Gallup. (2023). ??State of the Global Workplace
Harvard Business Review. ??The Business Case for Purpose