Talent Keepers

Chapter 2 What Engages People at Work?

Three employees from a major communications conglomerate sit down to complete a survey about their engagement with work. First we have Mike, a member of the baby-boomer generation. He has worked for the company for nearly twenty years after an earlier career as an insurance agent. Mike works as a middle manager at a call center that fields technical support requests.

Then we have Janet, a member of generation X, whose employment with the company began seven years ago. Janet works as an associate attorney in the legal department.

Finally, there is Justin, a graphic designer for the marketing department. Justin is a member of generation Y, and has been with the company for just under two years.

We asked all three employees to provide responses to the same four statements/questions:

1. Describe the one thing that most influences you to stay with the organization.
2. Describe one thing that could cause you to leave the organization.
3. What would increase your willingness to recommend, to a friend or colleague, your organization as a good place to work?
4. What would increase your willingness to recommend the products and services your organization offers?

We will delve more deeply into Mike, Janet, and Justin’s specific answers later in the chapter, but for now, let’s keep in mind three important trends that have emerged from the millions of answers we have compiled through surveys like this one: (1) There are four key drivers of employee engagement ...