onboarding

5 Powerful Ideas to Keep Your Employees Engaged

Manouk te Rietmolen
November 22, 2024
4
min read
Table of Contents
We all are striving towards having an irresistible company culture, with magnetic perks, cool team events, room for personal growth and great results. Now imagine having all that, would that be enough for your employees to look forward to Monday? It’s a great start, but you might need to take some extra steps here. So here’s 5 extra (and original!) things you can do to have your employees look forward to Monday.

1. Purpose Before Profit: Build a Legacy, Not Just a Business

In today’s rapidly evolving world, success is no longer just about profits—it’s about making an impact. A clear and meaningful purpose drives motivation, fosters loyalty, and inspires both employees and customers. Sure, profits keep the lights on, but purpose is what sparks innovation and long-term success. Companies with a purpose-led approach stand out, creating deeper connections and achieving more sustainable growth. Remember: profit fuels the journey, but purpose sets the direction.

2. Celebrate Failures: Turn Mistakes Into Momentum

By celebrating failures, we create a culture of experimentation and innovation, where it's okay to take risks and try new things. This can lead to greater creativity and success in the long run, as we are more willing to think outside the box and push boundaries.

Moreover, celebrating failures can help to reduce fear and anxiety in the workplace. When we know that it's okay to make mistakes, we are less likely to be afraid to take action and make decisions. This can lead to greater productivity and collaboration, as team members feel empowered to contribute their ideas and take ownership of their work.

Think about implementing ‘Fuck-up of the month award’, or handing out a penguin award. Make it fun to fail. Employees will get more confident to experiment, fail and learn. And that is how you succeed as a company.

Celebrate failures of employees with creative awards: a bronze trophy and a humorous blue ribbon reading 'Winner of the Fu** of the Month Award' on a desk with a plant and lamp in the background

3. Radical Transparency: Build Trust Through Openness

Radical transparency in companies regarding salary, contracts, and decision-making is crucial for building trust and creating an open work culture. By being open and honest about these aspects of the business, companies can create a more respectful workplace. This means moving away from traditional legal language and adopting a more collaborative approach to contracting.

When employees feel that they have a say in how the company operates, they are more likely to feel valued and invested in the success of the business. Additionally, when salaries are transparent, there is less room for bias and discrimination, which can improve overall diversity and inclusion within the organization.

4. Focus on inclusivity & kindness 

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEI&B) aren’t just trendy acronyms—they’re the heart of a thriving workplace. When employees feel valued for their individuality and genuinely included, they show up with purpose and enthusiasm. But let’s not forget the power of kindness—it’s the glue that holds everything together. From small gestures, like welcoming new hires with personalized notes, to creating inclusive policies, kindness creates a culture where everyone feels they belong. Prioritizing DEI&B and kindness doesn’t just build teams—it builds communities.

5. Rock your onboarding Experience!

First impressions matter, and onboarding new employees is your chance to wow them from day one. A dynamic, engaging onboarding process sets the stage for higher productivity, stronger engagement, and better retention. Don’t just go through the motions—get creative! Whether it’s personalized welcome kits, interactive training, or mentor programs, invest in a memorable onboarding journey. It’s the ultimate way to energize your team for success.

Ready to level up your workplace? Take these strategies and make 2025 the year of empowered employees, meaningful work, and a thriving company culture. 🚀

Five ideas to keep employees engaged: 1. Have a super clear purpose and prioritize it over profit, 2. Celebrate failures, 3. Implement radical transparency, 4. Focus on inclusivity and kindness, and 5. Rock your onboarding process, depicted with icons and a cheerful design

[.callout-small]Want to know more? Take a look at our e-book: How to create a successful onboarding journey [.callout-small]

Share this post

Join 6.956 HR and onboarding specialists!

Have all our latest onboarding news delivered to your inbox. Sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Related posts

Want to know more about onboarding? See our other blogs

No items found.