Each year, we hear the increasingly dismal stats about employee engagement and fulfillment in U.S. workplaces.  It’s often said that enthusiasm and company culture start at the top, but if that’s true we’ve got a real problem.  According to a recent Gallup study, about half of U.S. adults have quit a job to escape a bad boss, and even worse, managers weren’t all that happy either.  Just 35% of U.S. managers said they felt engaged on the job. 51% said they weren’t engaged, and 14% confessed that they actively tune out at work.

14% of leaders said they spend time actively NOT LEADING.  Sure, no one is perfect.  We all go through ebbs and flows naturally in our moods and the way we approach our work.  But if you are in a position of leadership it is likely because you are very good at what you do, and have the insight to offer others who are less experienced.  In light of these depressing statistics, here are some more enlightening ones–ways to improve productivity and their effects (happy employees achieve their goals 31% more often and are 36% more motivated):

• Offer Meaning and Alignment—Companies that focus on giving back to society and having strong values, mission statements , and goals produces a 60% reduction in absenteeism and a 75% reduction in turnover.
• Provide Opportunities for Success and Personal Growth—Leading causes of employee dissatisfaction and turnover include feelings of stagnation and a disconnect in company goals.  While growth and professional development are top demands among job seekers.
• Encourage Gratitude—Giving employees the opportunity to express gratitude is just as, if not more beneficial than giving direct recognition.  73% of workers credited recognition for having a positive impact on their happiness on the job.
• Build Flexibility—80% of employees said they would be happier with more flexible work options.  Of workers who already had flexibility options 90% said it eased the burdens of work-life balance.

Have you implemented any changes recently to address these common workplace problems? How did it go?  Let us know in the comments!