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A featured contribution from Leadership Perspectives, a curated forum for enterprise technology leaders, nominated by our subscribers and vetted by the CIOApplications Editorial Board.

Morgan Properties
Laurie McGarvey, Director of Employee Engagement
Strong Company Values And Growth Opportunities Enhance The Employee Experience


Strong Company Values Create a Sense of Community and Belonging
Maintaining strong values is critical in promoting a positive workplace culture, no matter the business type or size. At companies with a national footprint, employees may not be proximate to one another, reducing the opportunities to spend time with colleagues both in and outside the office setting. However, HR teams can help create a strong community by promoting values that encourage collaboration and resonate with employees. One of the key things employees want to know is that they are cared for and about. Employees need to be able to trust their managers, and managers need to be able to demonstrate care and provide ongoing feedback and dialogue consistently.
Start by identifying your company’s foundational beliefs. What’s important to company leadership? What do your employees care about most? If you could describe your company culture in one word, what would it be? Asking yourself these types of questions will help you develop a list of keywords that represent your company’s vision and goals.
Ongoing Growth Opportunities Generate Long-Term Success
Another strategy that has proven to foster community and increase engagement is to offer robust resources, support, and mentorship opportunities for employees, both new and tenured. It's critical that talent development and training are offered at all levels of the organization so that employees can develop leadership skills and grow into their entrepreneurial spirit.
A positive employee experience is crucial to an organization’s growth and success
Today, a growing portion of the U.S. workforce is comprised of Millennials and Gen Z. The next generation of employees expects significant professional development opportunities to enhance their personal and professional skills. The HR team, in collaboration with the learning and talent development team, can assist by creating programs that are tech-savvy, cater to different learning styles, and are available in self-paced, virtual, or in-person formats.
These training sessions are also essential for retaining seasoned employees. Companies must ensure that longtime employees believe they can excel in their current positions, learn new skills, and earn promotions. Continued training is most successful when it focuses on developing skills in management and leadership, employee engagement, coaching and performance management, and diversity and inclusion.
A positive employee experience is crucial to an organization’s growth and success. The HR team can play a vital role in enhancing the work environment – both virtual and in-person, by collaborating with leaders and managers to ensure the company maintains strong values and invests in development opportunities that empower employees both personally and professionally. HR departments can lead the way in coaching and partnering with the business, its leaders, and managers to consistently ensure that an employee is heard and valued.

