Everyone talks about employee engagement and how it effects the company as a whole. But what they miss is that the employee experience “EX” is what drives engagement.
Last week, I was with a client meeting at their headquarters when I was pleasantly surprised with the following question, “What kind of chocolate would you like? We have apples, pineapple, strawberries, and bananas. It is Employee Appreciation Day.” What a wonderful idea. So simple and created so many smiles and connection. And of course, I wanted chocolate. This is an example that the simplest things can make such a difference in an employee’s experience. In the simplest form, employee’s engagement is the result of the employee experience “EX”. And the employee experience is the sum of all interactions an employee has with their employer and how the employee perceives the company overall and their role in the company. “EX” is impacted by the first conversation in the recruiting process through the last conversation in the departure. When I work with my clients, I share with them that you want to create an experience that your employee says, “Hell Yeah, I get to work here every day”. So, how do you create such an experience? Become employee centric. Look through the eye of the employee in every decision from culture, environment, technology, recognition and development to soliciting feedback and acting on it.
I teach my clients to remember the Golden Rule
“Treat others as you want to be treated.”
And to practice the Platinum Rule “Treat others as they want to be treated.” If you truly practice the Platinum Rule, your curiosity in understanding others will drive you to become more employee centric. So, go get curious. But don’t forget the chocolate.