Building A Culture of Engagement: The Importance of Senior Leadership

Why does one organization get a reputation as a great place to work while another struggles to retain its employees? It’s never a simple matter of company A paying more than company B. Financial incentives may attract more applicants, but they don’t connect an individual personally to an organization. The level of commitment, the willingness of an employee to recommend his or her company as a great place to work and to do business — what we call engagement — can make or break an organization. Dale Carnegie Training examined the rational and emotional factors that impact engagement in the workplace. The research identified senior leadership practices and behaviors as a critical area of focus. From the quality of the people they hire, the resources and training they give them, the level of communication with employees, to the way employees are compensated, the climate of the working environment is a reflection of senior management.