On the Job by Anita Bruzzese How to Engage and Energize Longtime Workers

On the Job by Anita Bruzzese How to Engage and Energize Longtime Workers Often we think we know long-term employees really well. After all, theyve been around for what seems like forever. We know how they like their coffee, the name of their family dog and even their favorite shirt (worn every Thursday). But those assumptions can cause managers to assume they know what motivates such workers, and take it for granted that they are already engaged. Despite what many leaders believe, new research shows its a companys most experienced and valuable workers who may be the least motivated. In fact, aGallup surveyfinds that only 5% of employees with 10 or more years with a company say they are engaged at work in roles that are the right fit for them. So how can you energize and engage your long-term workers? Career expert, Daniel Pink says that science shows us that motivation needs to be built around the desire to do things because they matter, because we like it, theyre interesting, or part of something important. Match them with great people.Gallup suggests that employees can see tenure as meaningful if they are paired withgreat managerswho help them continue to grow. Asking them to mentor Tenured workers are a key component of a companys ongoing success because they know how an organization works and how to get things done with fewer problems or dissentand they can often predict how colleagues will behave and respond.If theyre not engaged, they may just go through the motions of the job, with quality of work and productivity often the biggest casualties. That means we want autonomy to direct our own lives; mastery to get better at something that matters and purpose to, as Pink puts it, do what we do in the service of something larger than ourselves. With that in mind, here are a few ideas for keeping your long-term (as well as newer employees) happier, more motivated, and highly productive ( read more here)