Engagement Rises as Challenge Increases

Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace finds that only 13% of people around the world feel engaged at work. Silicon Valley high-flyers may lure and retain talent with perks like free massages and gourmet  buffets. But according to a recent SHRM survey “the opportunity to use skills and abilities” is now the top driver of satisfaction,

Researcher Liz Wiseman, author of Rookie Smarts, Why Leaning Beats Knowing in the New Game of Work takes this finding one step further, saying, “Employees don’t just want their skills used; they want them stretched.”(http://bit.ly/workchallenge)

When Wiseman’s organization asked 1,000 people across industries to indicate their current level of on-the-job challenge and their current level of satisfaction, they found a near-linear correlation.  In other words, “As challenge level goes up, so does satisfaction.” Further investigation revealed that people who received a challenging assignment, in general, mastered it within three months and were ready for the next one.

The lesson for managers?  While pausing to appreciate success is important, employees are not happy resting for long. If employees seem restless, allow them to apply their skills to a new problem and invite them to collaborate with co-workers to increase their expertise.

We want to hear: Are you more engaged and satisfied at work when your abilities are being stretched?  Can you give us an example? Join the conversation and click "comments" on our Community of Practice Forum.

Image Credit: David Kracht https://www.flickr.com/photos/dave_kr8/

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