12 August An Engaged Team is a High Performing Team August 12, 2020By ICI Administrator Aspire 0 By Josh Hallam, General Manager, Institute of Civil Infrastructure Employee engagement is crucial to the success of a civil infrastructure project and the success of a business in the long run. In a civil construction business, an engaged team member cares about their employer’s brand and objectives, and is driven every day to deliver key project outcomes on time and on budget. A business that has a low level of employee engagement shows high levels of employee turnover, high absenteeism and makes more costly mistakes. According to Gallup, the global leader in this space, Australia is one of the worst performing countries with only 14% of the workforce[1] classified as “engaged”. In the civil infrastructure industry, the key elements to drive high engagement in your team are safety, input in decision making, a commitment to professional development and open communication. Safety, perhaps an obvious one, is ultimately the most important. If a team member does not feel safe in the workplace, how can they possibly be 100% engaged in their work? As a leader, it is important to not just tick the safety box, but work with your team to allay any safety concerns, whether they be physical, mental or emotional. For a team member, there is a big difference in doing what you are told to do versus completing an agreed task toward project success. By involving your team members in aspects of decision-making, you are showing that you value their input and their skills. Their role in the team provides a unique perspective that can assist in making a better decision or at the very least, provide them with a learning opportunity. An engaged team member is looking to grow, to develop their skills and to progress. Providing them with opportunities to achieve these elements through training and development shows a level of commitment to their career. As a leader, you want a committed team that delivers everyday right? Well, the same can be said for a worker – they want an employer that is committed to them and their career path on a regular basis. Providing opportunities to train and develop in areas above and beyond legislative requirements shows you’re invested in your team and value their growth. This in turn leads to an increased commitment, stronger retention and higher performance. Finally, open and regular communication with your team provides opportunities to motivate, inspire and inform them. Don’t wait for the annual review to discuss achievements and areas of development, engage in ongoing dialogue. If you are open with your team and provide clarity in your communication, they will be open with you which will lead to a more effective working relationship. [1] State of the Global Workplace Gallup Report 2017 Related Posts From Teammate to Team Leader You've just been promoted to a leadership position, becoming a supervisor or leading hand. But what does this transition involve? What changes should you expect, and how can you effectively navigate the path from being a teammate to becoming a team leader? High Performers Cultivate More Powerful Traits It doesn’t matter what industry, the high performing leaders are far more effective at cultivating more powerful traits. The following eight highly effective traits enable you to unleash your potential as a leader and rise above the rest. Be proactive, not reactive: Invest in your teams professional development As a professional in civil infrastructure, you know that our industry is facing a number of challenges, particularly around staff retention and the skills shortage That's why it's important to invest in your team to stay ahead of the curve and mitigate risk, regardless of their role role. 6 steps to building a successful team in the civil industry! In working with Construction Managers in the civil industry, we've found one of the key challenges is the cost of finding and retaining good team Members. The impacts of Strong Leadership Your Leadership team sets the stage for a productive work environment, efficient project execution, and overall organisation success. Instilling your management team with the skillsets needed to create a confident, autonomous team is a challenge – but one which can have profound impacts on your organisation. ICI Insider – Your free guide to building your teams resilience Want to gain a competitive edge? ICI Insider presentations will give you the advantage you’re looking for. Bite sized live civil industry updates you can consume in 20 minutes – without leaving your desk. Comment (0) Comments are closed.