Are your employees satisfied with their workplace? Only one question will reveal the truth (+5 proven ways to boost employee motivation)
GREEN GENIUS
Renewable energy company to empower sustainability. We develop solar, biogas, wind, and hydrogen projects across Europe.
Today, many employees feel the direct impact of uncertainty on their productivity, sense of purpose, and overall quality of life. According to a 2022 Gallup poll, only 14% of European employees reported being fully engaged and happy at work. In Lithuania, only 8% of employees would likely recommend their employer. Oksana Balsiene , Head of HR at GREEN GENIUS , a renewable energy company, shares how to assess team engagement and drive workplace satisfaction properly.
One way to measure employee engagement and workplace satisfaction is to calculate the eNPS (employee net promoter score) through an internal survey. This globally validated methodology consists of a single question. Employees are asked how likely they are to recommend the company as a good employer. The final score, ranging from -100 to 100, is calculated by subtracting the percentage of negative evaluators from the percentage of promoters. The eNPS is an average of 8 in Lithuania. In contrast, GREEN GENIUS achieved a record employee satisfaction score of 51.2 in 2022.
According to Oksana Balsiene , one of the most critical parameters that promote employee engagement is the employer's flexibility and team values. She shares five tips that might help employees to feel happier.
Understanding the purpose of their work: Although employees generally understand that organizations aim to make a profit, they must also comprehend the added value of their daily efforts. Research shows that employees who feel their work has purpose and meaning feel more motivated, happier, and more productive.
"We want everyone in our team to clearly understand that all GREEN GENIUS employees contribute to reducing climate change and increasing Europe's energy independence. We constantly explain to them the importance of our work," noted Oksana Balsiene .
Value alignment: Values help companies define norms of acceptable behavior and ensure that all employees share the same understanding of it. Once an organization clearly defines its values, it clarifies decision-making and helps everyone feel more confident and secure.
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For example, according to Oksana Balsiene , the core values of the GREEN GENIUS are 1)partnership, 2)empowerment, and 3)positively impacting both the micro and the macro-environment, which the whole team strives to achieve together. So, in their daily work, people can confidently make and implement their own decisions if the chosen goals and means align with the company's values.
A natural partnership: People spend about one-third of their lives at work, so understandably, they want to work in a supportive, inspiring, and positive environment. The healthiest and happiest modern workplaces are moving away from the cold corporate style and giving employees opportunities to build a community with their colleagues so that they care about each other.
"Employees feel more engaged when there's room for human touch at work, allowing personal authenticity to emerge and empower their strongest qualities. This sense of teamwork and personal authenticity enhances our business activities and fosters a cohesive community united by a single vision," explained Oksana Balsiene .
Fast decisions and empowerment: Too much bureaucracy slows decision-making and stifles innovation and creativity. Further, unnecessary procedures increase operational costs. Bureaucracy also often suppresses personal responsibility, leading to a lack of motivation.
Oksana Balsiene mentioned that "empowering team members to make decisions quickly is crucial, as it promotes efficiency and engenders a sense of responsibility. Our company encourages managers to listen to employees' insights and give them the freedom to decide and act. If so, employees tend to feel valued, and their competencies develop quickly.
Leadership: According to Oksana Balsiene , each company needs more than one strong leader. The more people with leadership skills in a team, the more motivated the group feels. Therefore, developing leadership competence is crucial not only for managers. For example, GREEN GENIUS has a leadership program for employees with modules to develop core competencies, including communication and management, even when their direct work is only related to solar, wind, biogas, or battery development.
"The continuous development of competencies provides new challenges and opportunities for growth. Employees feel they can progress, which benefits both the employee and the organization," explained Oksana Balsiene , Head of HR at GREEN GENIUS .