Investing in Employee Engagement
In this episode, I had the pleasure of talking to Paul ter Wal, an organisational expert with a unique journey from law to employee engagement. Paul shared his insights on how focusing on employee well-being and engagement can transform an organisation’s culture and productivity.
Here are some key takeaways from our conversation:
- The Importance of Employee Engagement: We discussed how engagement is not a luxury but a necessity for organisations. It’s not just about keeping employees happy, but about tapping into their energy and motivation to boost productivity and reduce turnover.
- The Power of Positive Psychology: Paul shared his research on positive psychology and how it can help organisations shift their focus from crisis management to well-being and prevention.
- The Warning Signs of Disengagement: We delved into the signs of employee dissatisfaction, such as increased mistakes, conflicts, and sick leave. Recognising these signs early can help prevent a crisis.
- The Impact of Well-being on Productivity: Paul emphasised that investing in employee well-being can yield significant returns. For instance, investing £1 in well-being can result in a £4 return.
- The Shift in Work Expectations: We touched on how younger generations prioritise purpose and core values over money and status, leading to increased job mobility.
- The Challenge of Hybrid and Remote Working: While remote work offers convenience and flexibility, it can also lead to feelings of loneliness and mental health issues. Organisations need to have well-defined policies to facilitate effective hybrid working.
- The Seven Keys to Profitability: Paul shared his work on how focusing on human talent management can improve retention, reduce sick leave, increase effectiveness, and boost productivity.
I encourage you to listen to the full episode to gain a deeper understanding of these topics. Remember, investing in your employees is not a cost but an investment that can yield significant returns.
Also, don’t forget about the upcoming Employee Experience Conference in September 2023 in London. It’s going to be an exciting event with an impressive lineup of speakers, including Stephen Fry. Use the discount code “craigs” for a 25% discount on your ticket.
Stay tuned for our upcoming episodes where we’ll be interviewing Jen O’Ryan on inclusive diversity and Kerry Ann Stimpson on employee engagement and brand advocacy.
Until next time, keep engaging!
Guest profile
Paul ter Wal is an organisational expert with experience as a lawyer in the field of social security and employment law. Paul saw first-hand the ways that social security failed human beings. He was surprised to learn that despite the millions of pounds, dollars and euros spent to support people when they become ill or disabled, nothing was invested to keep people employable and engaged. Over 20 years ago, Paul left the legal side. Leading with his core values, Paul now delivers consulting engagements that help companies identify and truly live their own values. He shows companies that when they see every employee’s full potential, absenteeism decreases while enthusiasm and productivity increases.
Useful links
Link to a relevant episode of the podcast: https://thebigpicturepeople.co.uk/blog/podcast/using-data-to-drive-engagement/
Paul’s links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulterwal/
Website: https://team-andare.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=UU6PG8rXpAb8NOaNWS6v8yBg
Unite Conference
The link to the Unite Conference on 13/14 September 2023 that I mentioned in this show is https://www.unily.com/unite – use the code “craigs” to get a 25% discount on all ticket types!