Engagement with your employees is the most effective coaching tool we have. Recently a study showed that only 1 in 3 employees are fully engaged which proves that management needs to do a better job of engaging with their employees. Coaching is a great way for managers to become engaged and really position themselves to drive better employee performance.

When you want to become more engaged with your employees, keep this is mind, What comes first and what comes last is remembered best. So engaging first thing in the morning or right before the end of day is highly effective.  How are you beginning your morning, or how are you leaving your team at the end of the day?  At the start of the day, say “good morning” and ask a simple question that’s more engaging than, "how are you?"  Ask a question specific to the employee you are engaging with and not a generic question that can be answered with "oh fine, thanks."  After you ask the question, use your active listening skills and REALLY LISTEN to how they respond.  Towards the middle or end of the day, try to do something nice which will end the day on a positive note.  Here are a couple ways to do this:  you can send out an email announcing someone’s accomplishments, leave a treat in the breakroom in the mid-afternoon and personally walk around to let the employees know, leave a note where employees will see it before they leave congratulating them for a job well done.

These are not difficult or costly things, but they will make a big difference to your employees. Taking the time at the beginning, middle or end of the work day will be worth the effort as it will make a positive impact on your employees. 

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