Engage, engagement, engaging - these words can mean different things given the experiences we have in life. In my consulting experience, engagement is absolutely critical for teams and organizations to keep people involved and part of a business process. To be engaged in the personal sense means to have a plan agreed to and committed with another person. Two people get engaged to be married, or two people are engaged in a process of discovery when they are dating, or engaged in a 2-person kayaking experience. On the behavioral side, to be engaging means to have the attention of others in such a way that they are interested in and value what you are sharing.
All too often however, particularly in business, we skip this engagement step and do things somewhat unilaterally. But, as we all have experienced, going-it-alone is often a painful process, filled with suffering and loneliness at times. Imagine a business owner making decisions without engaging their customers. Or, a CEO making critical decisions without engaging with the executive leadership team for their input and buy-in to the process. This is where we see pain and suffering in the lives of employees. I recently read (again) that the number of dissatisfied employees is at an all-time high. Employees feel outside of the weave of their organizations, just doing a job without feeling part of something. They haven't been engaged or even considered for the part they play in the organization.
How do we become engaging? Is it a series of delivery conversations where you just want to tell people what's going on? Yes and no. The delivery part helps people understand the basis of why you are engaging them, but the engagement comes from the request for input. Think about times when you were just given information and not offered an invitation to respond in any way whether it be through the "suggestion box" or an open discussion with your manager or supervisor. It feels a bit empty to people, especially when they are part of an organization.
However, being an engaged participant takes something on our part as well. It requires one to not only accept the invitation to be engaged, but also to be generous with feedback and accountable to the final result. This engagement calls us all to the next level of leadership and professional development. By accepting this responsibility and being engaged, we answer the call to become part of a bigger picture in a positive way. Let's not lose sight of the significance of this type of opportunity.
As I move ahead in 2010, I see parts of my life that need more engagement. For example, I often feel I need to engage more with my teenager to keep her part of the family process. Now, her feeling a need to be engaged with me is a whole other topic indeed. But that doesn't mean that I shouldn't reach out and include her in my part of the process. For business, I know that networking and engaging other potential customers is critical to providing the right product at the right time.
Engagement is an invitation, being engaging is being open to feedback and input, to engage is to actively seek the input and commitment of others. When we become engaged we need to be generous and accountable to the invitation and ultimately the final plan or result. Let's all look more at engaging in 2010 and be part of a picture larger than ourselves.
Questions to Ponder: Where have you been lacking engagement in your business or personal life? What has the cost been to you in any pain or suffering? Where do you need some input and buy-in in your life and how could you develop an Engagement Plan?
All too often however, particularly in business, we skip this engagement step and do things somewhat unilaterally. But, as we all have experienced, going-it-alone is often a painful process, filled with suffering and loneliness at times. Imagine a business owner making decisions without engaging their customers. Or, a CEO making critical decisions without engaging with the executive leadership team for their input and buy-in to the process. This is where we see pain and suffering in the lives of employees. I recently read (again) that the number of dissatisfied employees is at an all-time high. Employees feel outside of the weave of their organizations, just doing a job without feeling part of something. They haven't been engaged or even considered for the part they play in the organization.
How do we become engaging? Is it a series of delivery conversations where you just want to tell people what's going on? Yes and no. The delivery part helps people understand the basis of why you are engaging them, but the engagement comes from the request for input. Think about times when you were just given information and not offered an invitation to respond in any way whether it be through the "suggestion box" or an open discussion with your manager or supervisor. It feels a bit empty to people, especially when they are part of an organization.
However, being an engaged participant takes something on our part as well. It requires one to not only accept the invitation to be engaged, but also to be generous with feedback and accountable to the final result. This engagement calls us all to the next level of leadership and professional development. By accepting this responsibility and being engaged, we answer the call to become part of a bigger picture in a positive way. Let's not lose sight of the significance of this type of opportunity.
As I move ahead in 2010, I see parts of my life that need more engagement. For example, I often feel I need to engage more with my teenager to keep her part of the family process. Now, her feeling a need to be engaged with me is a whole other topic indeed. But that doesn't mean that I shouldn't reach out and include her in my part of the process. For business, I know that networking and engaging other potential customers is critical to providing the right product at the right time.
Engagement is an invitation, being engaging is being open to feedback and input, to engage is to actively seek the input and commitment of others. When we become engaged we need to be generous and accountable to the invitation and ultimately the final plan or result. Let's all look more at engaging in 2010 and be part of a picture larger than ourselves.
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