Every organization strives to create an environment where employees feel valued, heard, and truly engaged. But what does it take to achieve that? What drives real engagement? What are the ingredients that make employees more likely to speak up, share their thoughts, and feel safe doing so? Well, over the past two weeks, we turned to the TSOW (The Shape of Work) community with some bold questions to find out what really matters to employees. And let me tell you – what we discovered was both eye-opening and energizing.
In this blog, we’ll dive into the key insights gathered from the community, break them down, and share actionable steps that organizations can take to build a culture of trust, recognition, and continuous improvement. Ready? Let’s go!
The Secret Sauce: Feedback, Engagement, Suggestions and Psychological Safety
Let’s talk about what truly powers a thriving workplace. It’s a delicate balance between open communication, structured feedback, and employee empowerment. Whether it’s a system for anonymous 360° feedback, an open suggestion box, or casual chats with leadership, employees want their voices to be heard – but they also want to see real action based on their input.
We asked the TSOW community to weigh in on some key questions, and the insights were absolutely fascinating. Here’s what we learned.
What We Asked, and What We Learned
1. What’s the biggest challenge with anonymous 360° feedback?
📊 Insights: A whopping 63.16% of respondents said that tracking the source of valuable insights was tough. Plus, 52.63% worried about irrelevant criticism, while 36.84% felt feedback could sometimes be superficial. And here’s the kicker – 21.05% thought that anonymous feedback actually discouraged honest conversations.
✅ What You Can Do: To take anonymous feedback to the next level, organizations need to establish clear guidelines for constructive input. Training teams on how to give actionable feedback and mixing anonymous feedback with open conversations can help bring transparency and trust into the process.
2. What keeps employees engaged throughout their lifecycle?
📊 Insights: Here’s where it gets exciting! 75.76% of participants said recognition was the top motivator, 72.73% emphasized career development, and 54.55% valued a supportive work environment. Oh, and 42.42% said meaningful work was a game-changer.
✅ What You Can Do: Recognize your people! Implement strong recognition programs, provide career growth opportunities, create a supportive work environment, and make sure the work being done is challenging and meaningful. It’s a winning formula!
3. What would encourage employees to submit more suggestions?
📊 Insights: 57.14% of employees said they’d be motivated by incentives, 50% said acknowledgment and transparency were key, and 35.71% wanted the option to stay anonymous.
✅ What You Can Do: Make it easy and rewarding for employees to submit their ideas! Offer rewards and public recognition, and implement structured incentive systems. Plus, keep that anonymity option open – it ensures all voices are heard.
4. How could the suggestion box contribute to company culture?
📊 Insights: A massive 81.48% agreed that suggestion boxes foster open communication, 48.15% said they improve collaboration between employees and leadership, and 44.44% felt they sparked innovation.
✅ What You Can Do: Actively communicate how suggestions are being used, involve leadership in engaging with them, and make sure you follow up on ideas. It will help build a culture of trust and continuous improvement.
5. How should organizations collect feedback effectively?
📊 Insights: 72.73% of respondents preferred one-on-one discussions and dedicated platforms, 50% liked anonymous surveys, and 45.45% found team meetings valuable.
✅ What You Can Do: Embrace a hybrid approach! Offer structured feedback platforms, one-on-one discussions, and anonymous surveys. But remember – the magic happens when feedback results in real changes.
6. What’s the most effective format for feedback?
📊 Insights: 59.26% favored real-time feedback, 55.56% valued face-to-face conversations, and 44.44% found written feedback useful.
✅ What You Can Do: Prioritize real-time feedback while balancing face-to-face and written formats. Keep anonymous feedback available for sensitive topics – it’s crucial for building trust.
7. What behaviors contribute most to a psychologically safe workplace?
📊 Insights: 67.86% highlighted open communication and non-judgmental listening, 57.14% valued inclusivity, and 50% stressed celebrating effort over perfection.
✅ What You Can Do: Leaders need to master active listening, foster inclusivity, and create an environment where mistakes are viewed as opportunities for growth. For example, when a sales development representative (SDR) misses their monthly metrics, collaboratively build a strategy to ensure they meet or exceed their goals next month. Psychological safety is the bedrock of engagement.
8. What would encourage employees to provide more feedback about the workplace?
📊 Insights: A huge 77.78% said that seeing action taken on past feedback was the biggest motivator, 44.44% wanted more frequent opportunities, and 36.11% valued anonymity.
✅ What You Can Do: Show employees you’re listening – act on their feedback! Establish regular feedback cycles, be transparent about changes, and create a culture where both anonymous and open feedback are valued.
Key Takeaways: The Power of Action
So, what’s the bottom line? The data is clear: employees want to be heard, and they want to see action on their input. Gathering feedback is only half the battle; organizations need to close the loop by acknowledging contributions and making visible changes.
Here’s what you can do TODAY to get started:
- Recognize and Act on Feedback – Acknowledge every piece of feedback and ensure action is taken.
- Provide Structured and Open Feedback Channels – Offer a mix of anonymous, real-time, and face-to-face feedback options.
- Foster a Culture of Trust and Inclusion – Promote psychological safety, open communication, and inclusivity in your workplace culture.
As we continue to navigate the evolving world of work, these principles will help you build a workplace where employees feel valued, engaged, and empowered to contribute meaningfully.