How to Boost Employee Motivation & Happiness: DEIB Engagement Activities That Work!

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Employee motivation and happiness are essential for a thriving workplace. The more engaged and satisfied employees are, the more productive and reasonable they become. The problem with employee motivation is that it is not always easy to come by. A study by Gallup showed that around 85% of employees worldwide are disengaged or actively disengaged at work. One of the many reasons for this is the lack of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) in the workplace.

Therefore, it is essential to promote DEIB engagement activities that work to boost employee motivation and happiness. In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of DEIB engagement activities and look at some effective practices to foster employee motivation and happiness.

Understanding the Importance of DEIB Engagement Activities

Diversity is not useful in and of itself; it must be accompanied by inclusivity to create a tangible effect in the workplace. Inclusivity, in turn, requires cultural competence, or the ability to understand, respect, and interact effectively with people from diverse backgrounds. DEIB engagement activities help employees strengthen cultural competence and work towards inclusivity, which enables them to learn from each other and develop new ideas, resulting in a more innovative and open workplace.

Promoting Employee Well-Being and Job Satisfaction

The benefits of DEIB engagement activities go further than just promoting cultural competence and inclusivity. These activities help employees maintain their overall well-being and job satisfaction, improving productivity, and reducing stress. When employees feel respected, heard, and valued, they are more likely to go above and beyond, leading to more excellent performance and job satisfaction.

Effective DEIB Engagement Activities to Boost Motivation and Happiness

Employee resource groups (ERGs) are employee-led groups that bring together employees based on shared identities, interests, or experiences. ERGs have been proven to be effective in fostering inclusivity, promoting networking within an organization and creating an open forum for employee feedback.

For instance, women's ERGs help women break through the glass ceiling by providing networking opportunities, mentoring, and training. Similarly, black employee ERGs help ease the burden of racism-related stressors by providing a safe space to share common experiences and develop strategies for dealing with it in the workplace.

Diversity and Inclusion Training

Diversity and inclusion training help employees develop the cultural competence needed to interact with their peers from diverse backgrounds. This training can take the form of workshops, online courses, or in-person coaching sessions. Diversity and inclusion training also help employees understand the potential harm caused by bias and stereotypes, promoting conscious decision-making when interacting with their peers.

Mentorship Programs

Mentorship programs provide a platform for employees to learn from their peers and superiors. A good mentor can offer guidance, advice, and feedback on navigating the workplace successfully. Mentorship programs also allow for cross-departmental collaboration, leading to a more robust and united workplace culture.

Implementing DEIB Engagement Activities with Success

Before starting any DEIB engagement activity, it is essential to establish a clear goal and expectations for the program's outcome. Setting clear expectations ensures that every employee knows their role and responsibilities, maintaining a clear focus and accountability for the program's success.

Measuring and Tracking Progress

To ensure DEIB engagement activities are effective, it is essential to measure and track progress. Collecting feedback from employees, tracking employee participation, and monitoring the impact of the program helps determine the program's effectiveness and the areas that need improvement.

Ensuring Leadership Buy-In and Participation

Leaders play a vital role in creating an inclusive workplace. Therefore, it's crucial to ensure that the leadership buys into DEIB engagement activities and encourages employee participation. When leaders play an active role in DEIB engagement activities, they signal that these activities are not only essential but also a priority for the organization.

Conclusion

Creating and maintaining a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace is essential in promoting employee motivation and happiness. The implementation of effective DEIB engagement activities helps promote cultural competence, promote employee well-being, and job satisfaction, leading to a more productive and thriving workplace.

In conclusion, companies need to prioritize and implement effective DEIB engagement activities that work. The challenge is not only in identifying the right activities but also in implementing them with success. Therefore, companies must set clear goals and expectations, measure and track progress, and ensure leadership buy-in and participation to achieve a more inclusive and diverse workplace.

About Smitha Soni & Harsh Soni:

Smitha Soni and Harsh Soni are the founders of teamNgage, who are instrumental in providing experiential programs for employee engagement in India and abroad.

Smitha and Harsh, who is a psychologist and an NLP Certified (iGNLP member), have won awards for Best Founder of the Year and Best Entrepreneur 40 Under 40, respectively, and have been featured in more than 100 media publications. They are also a part of Government engagement initiative programs and are a partner of Sweat on Street, India’s only fitness-based street event, bringing wellness focus across individuals.

About teamNgage:

teamNgage is a platform that unites employees by providing a unique goal based highly engaging and interactive employee engagement programs. They have curated a seamless process by collaborating with HR and leaders, understanding and identifying gaps in their employee engagement programs and innovating the execution & delivery plan with tailor-made or packaged solutions.

Visit - www.teamNgage.in to learn more about Team Bonding & Employee Engagement Programs