One of the biggest differences between top-performing HR departments and "laggards" is the ability to demonstrate the impact talent management has on the business, according to a recent report on human capital management trends.
Effective collaboration depends on a mutual willingness to share ideas and opinions, but many managers discourage their staff from speaking up, according to Institute of Executive Coaching director Chip McFarlane, who says true collaboration takes courage.
Organisations that only survey staff about behaviour and cultural issues are unlikely to identify many of the problems that can affect company performance and productivity, says COI Group founder and CEO, Lanning Bennett.
HR professionals should aim for incremental improvements in engagement, rather than big spikes, and "do fewer things better", according to engagement research by Aon Hewitt.
When the reality of an organisation's culture doesn't match its espoused values, simple conversations can help bring the "miserable people" into line, says leadership educator Steve Fearns.
High levels of employee motivation don't necessarily translate into better performance, according to engagement experts Mark Royal and Tom Agnew, who say that work-related frustration can compromise engagement even when an employee is enthusiastic about their job.
To help employees achieve real balance in their lives, employers need to be more flexible about start and finish times, and even acceptable attire, says RedBalloon employee experience manager Megan Bromley.
Employers planning to shut down business over the Christmas and New Year period face risks from both an employee engagement and a legal compliance perspective, workplace experts warn.
Giving employees a "line of sight" to how their work contributes to the broader picture is one of the most effective ways to improve their wellbeing, says organisational psychologist Simon Brown-Greaves.
