According to new data from Gallup, the global rate of employee engagement just sank to 20%. This spells disaster for employee productivity, as the two metrics are inextricably linked. In fact, Gallup’s recent surveys indicate that low productivity and engagement cost the global economy $10 trillion.
Fortunately, there is good news for HR and business leaders who may be experiencing the worst of this trend. It’s important to know that there are strategies you can use to right the ship and inspire your employees to re-engage and get more done.
It starts with understanding what’s at the root of poor productivity among your workforce and devising a solid plan to tackle it using proven tactics for employee motivation.
If you’re looking to increase engagement, productivity, and morale among your team, here’s where you need to start to get — and keep — those fires burning.
What Impedes Employee Productivity and Why It’s Important to Correct the Problem
There is rarely one single cause for low productivity among your employees. Every employee has different motivators, and it can be difficult to ascertain the problem when it may be personal to every individual. Still, understanding the common causes of low productivity can be a helpful starting point. A few that you should be aware of include:
- A lack of consistent employee oversight
- Poor employee wellness
- Employees feeling bogged down by micromanagement or workloads
- A lack of connection to the big-picture mission or purpose
- Unclear expectations from managers or leadership
- Not having the skills, tools, or technology needed to get the job done
- A company culture of low expectations for productivity and performance
- A lack of recognition and appreciation from managers and colleagues
It’s important to know what is standing in the way of your employees meeting productivity targets. If this issue isn’t caught and handled in a timely manner, you run the risk of poisoning your company culture as the burden falls on your top performers to make up for what your low productivity employees aren’t producing.
This, in turn, can lead to higher turnover (especially among high-performing employees) and become a silent drain on company profitability. In this way, addressing low productivity isn’t just a way to get projects completed on time; instead, it’s the primary driving force behind company success.
Strategies for Raising Your Productivity Metrics Without Burning Your Employees Out
Productivity is a big deal, and it’s critical that your employees are meeting their targets. Here’s how to inspire high performance without micromanaging your workforce or stressing your employees out.
Ensure Clear Expectations
Organizational confusion is a drain. Clear expectations remove ambiguity for your employees. When they understand what the goals are, it reduces wasted effort, prevents second-guessing, and helps employees make the right decision more quickly.
It also lowers stress and anxiety, which can decrease the cognitive load and speed up output.
Provide Manager Training
Gallup data shows that managers account for 70% of the variance in employee engagement.
Clearly, a good manager can make all the difference in motivating employees to be highly productive. It’s essential that you provide them with in-depth and ongoing training to help them coach employees, ensure equitable and manageable workloads, and support employees with the right tools and solutions for the job.
Implement Regular Recognition
It’s difficult for employees to be engaged in their work when they don’t feel that it truly makes a difference.
Recognizing what employees contribute to the team and how their work helps move the company forward not only makes them feel appreciated, but it can also give them the motivation they need to keep giving their best. This, in turn, can have a significant positive impact on team productivity.
Invest in Employee Development
Skill mastery can increase autonomy, reduce errors, and speed up task execution. However, when you invest in the growth of your workforce, it also makes employees feel that you truly care about their professional future, which can motivate employees to produce more and better work.
Build a Culture of High Productivity and Performance Across Your Organization
Correcting low productivity means taking the time to get to the root cause and doing the work to build a culture of growth among your workforce. By leaning into clear expectations, psychological safety, and continuous skill development, you can motivate employees to exceed expectations.
Are you wondering how to create a culture of high performance in your business? Contact AssetHR to find out how our HR consulting and leadership development offerings can build a powerful engine for sustained effort and high-quality team output.