Engagement — The Underappreciated Asset of Great Teams

How Engaged Teams Do Better

Me boarding a plane to Cluj-Napoca — Ashley Sole

I’ve recently returned from a work trip to Cluj-Napoca in Romania. It was a great trip, with great conversation and great collaboration with my Romanian colleagues. We’re growing our team presence there and it’s easy to see why. The city is vibrant, the food is delicious, the people are welcoming, and the teams are engaged.

Companies everywhere are striving to maximize productivity, innovation, and success. From my experience, one of the most overlooked elements to achieve this is an engaged team. Engaged teams are not only more productive but also more creative, collaborative, and driven.

In this blog, I explore what it means to be an engaged team, the reasons why engaged teams consistently outperform their counterparts, and how you can foster engagement within your own team.

What does it mean to be engaged?

Engaged team members are invested, motivated, and committed to their work. Engaged team members actively participate, contribute their best efforts, and take ownership of their responsibilities. They feel connected to the purpose and values of the team, and their work aligns with their personal aspirations and values.

Here are some key characteristics of an engaged team:

1. Emotional Commitment - Engaged team members genuinely care about their performance and the success of the team. They feel a sense of pride and fulfillment in their contributions.
2. Intrinsic Motivation - Engaged team members are driven by internal factors rather than external rewards. They find enjoyment, satisfaction, and purpose in their work. Their motivation comes from within, as they see their tasks as meaningful and valuable.
3. Proactive and Initiative-Takers - Engaged team members take the initiative to go beyond their basic job responsibilities. They actively seek opportunities to contribute, improve processes, and make a positive impact. They don’t wait for instructions but take proactive steps to drive the team forward.
4. Collaboration and Communication - Engaged team members actively participate in team discussions, share ideas, and seek input from others. They build strong relationships, support their colleagues, and work together towards common goals.
5. Continuous Learning and Growth - Engaged team members are eager to learn and grow professionally. They actively seek out opportunities for development, such as training programs, workshops, or mentorship. They embrace challenges, adapt to changes, and continuously improve their skills and knowledge.
6. Sense of Belonging and Trust - Engaged team members have positive relationships with their teammates and feel comfortable expressing their opinions and concerns. They trust in the abilities and intentions of their colleagues, fostering a supportive and inclusive team culture.
7. Alignment with Organizational Values - Engaged team members understand how their work contributes to the overall mission and vision. They feel that their individual efforts make a difference and contribute to the success of the organization.
8. Recognition and Appreciation - Engaged team members give and receive thanks for their great work. They thrive on positive reinforcement, feedback, and appreciation from their leaders and colleagues.

Why do engaged teams do better?

People Stay Longer - Engaged teams are environments where people want to stay, learn and grow. We want our teams to be a place where you can have a long and healthy career, regularly challenging yourself and growing with the company as you grow yourself.

People Grow More - Engaged teams create the environment for people to develop themselves. They are environments where people stretch themselves to learn new skills, and to try things that they’ve not done before. More people work toward promotions, more people achieve their goals, and more people push themselves out of their comfort zone.

People Do Better Work - Engaged teams create better quality work because the people really care. Engaged people want their work to reflect their commitment, so they put their whole selves into everything they do. The result is work they are proud of.

How can you foster engagement within your own team?

As a leader, there are a few key things that I think are critical to creating an environment for highly engaged teams.

1. Establish a Clear Mission and Goals - Aligning teams to a very clear mission gives them a purpose, a reason to turn up every day. When team members have a sense of purpose, they are more likely to feel motivated and engaged.
2. Encourage Open Communication - You need to create an environment of high psychological safety, where people can share their views without fear of repercussion. Encourage active listening, respect diverse opinions, and constructive feedback. Create opportunities for regular team meetings, one-on-one discussions, and brainstorming sessions to promote dialogue and collaboration.
3. Empower and Delegate - My job as a leader is to aggressively delegate. I want to give people across my teams the opportunities to take on responsibilities that enable them to grow. I hire great people, delegate, give them autonomy, then get the hell out of the way. When team members have ownership and control over their work, great things happen.
4. Provide Growth Opportunities - Professional development opportunities such as training programs, workshops, conferences, and mentoring. Support team members in acquiring new skills, expanding their knowledge, and advancing their careers. Show a genuine interest in their growth and provide resources and support to help them reach their goals.
5. Recognize and Appreciate - As a leader, I know that recognising and appreciating the contributions and achievements of team members is very powerful. Prioritise celebrating successes, both big and small. Recognition can take various forms, such as public acknowledgment, rewards, but sometimes a simple heartfelt “thank you” is the most powerful. When team members feel valued and appreciated, their engagement and motivation increase.
6. Foster Collaboration and Team Bonding - We make sure we have team days at least every quarter, where people come together, tackle pressing issues, build relationships, and have fun. Organising team-building activities and social events is super powerful for creating engagement and a sense of camaraderie.
7. Lead by Example - As a leader, model the behaviors you want to see in your team. Demonstrate enthusiasm, commitment, and passion for your work, but also show you are human, fail at times, and can be humble and willing to learn. Be transparent, approachable, and responsive to your team members’ needs. Show empathy, actively listen, and provide support when required. Your own engagement and dedication will inspire and motivate your team.
8. Create a Positive Work Environment - Cultivate a positive work environment that values work-life balance, promotes well-being, and supports a healthy work culture. Encourage a balance between challenging work and opportunities for rest and rejuvenation. Provide a safe space for open discussions, constructive feedback, and learning from mistakes.

There are so many benefits of engagement. As leaders, it is crucial we assess engagement and prioritise improving engagement in our teams.

I’m proud of what we’re creating across my teams and how everyone is coming together to build something special. If we continue to focus on harnessing and building engagement, it will undoubtedly be a catalyst to success.

Onwards.