Is Employee Engagement a Managerial Competency?
02
Nov 2022
209
Author: Ada Tai, MBA, CPHR, SHRM-SCP
This morning, I attended a Canada-wide compensation trends webinar. An alarming study revealed to those in attendance that more than 37% of employees would jump jobs if an increase of 10% or more in pay in the next 12 months₁. With the rising inflation and the lingering effects of the epidemic, employers are scratching their heads to develop operationally feasible and budget-creative methods to ensure employee retention and engagement. It is no secret that retaining engaged employees is more affordable than hiring new workers. Therefore, fostering employee engagement has become an urgent employer concern.
Employee Engagement, in its simplest form, means employees are doing the work they are supposed to do, which yields evidence of commitment and meaningful, valuable results. The most common engagement drivers we often hear about include:
1. Meaningful and challenging work.
2. Respectful environment and effective managers.
3. Alignment of individual work with the organization’s objectives and values.
4. Ethical and competent leadership.
5. Fair compensation and recognition.
6. Open and two-way communication.
7. Pursuit of individual professional development goals, etc.
Based on this list, it is obvious that managers constitute one of the most critical factors that can either contribute to or crush employees’ engagement: the interactions between managers and employees and the behaviors that managers exhibit significantly impact the workers. Therefore, there has been a discernible trend toward demanding managers develop more people-management competencies in recent years.
People-management competencies can vary widely. What are the two fundamental yet critical engagement skills that managers need to possess?
1. Getting to know the team members:
Engagement is an individual concept: how employees feel about their attachment to their organization and how much they are willing to go above and beyond to deliver varies from one person to another. To enhance engagement, managers must spend the time and effort to get to know their staff. Getting to know the team can focus on a few areas:
I. Getting to know the individual’s background
Communicating and getting work done in a virtual environment reduced the connection between team members. Coupled with the fact that many people work multiple jobs to combat the rising cost of living, there is little time people have left to spend with each other. Getting to know team members builds the trust and connection that are much needed. When managers show interest in the team members, employees also feel more included in the work environment. They are more comfortable working with people they know. While getting to know the staff, managers should also allow time for the staff to get to know them and develop mutual trust.
II. Getting to know the individual’s strengths and interests
Knowing team members’ strengths and interests gives managers the requisite knowledge of their workers and how to assign/design jobs that will utilize their strengths and match their interests. Research shows that when employees are explicitly encouraged to use their talent to pursue a goal, individual engagement improves from 9% to 15% 2
.
III. Getting to know the individual’s challenges
The pandemic created and amplified challenges. Few can completely put their personal challenges behind them when they enter the office or log on to a computer to start working. A member of our organization who demonstrated superior performance had shown obvious errors and impatience toward clients. I did not want to make baseless assumptions or lose a great member who needed support. Because of our trusting relationship, I was comfortable inviting him to discuss the issues I observed. Without the need to know all details of his personal challenges, I offered support by adjusting his schedule and workload. In two weeks, this team member gradually showed improvement. After a month, he came to me and said that he had dealt with what he needed to handle and was now ready to go back to the full swing of work again.
2.
Obtaining resources and tailoring support to team members:
Each worker needs their manager in different ways. Some need their manager to be a teacher, some need their manager to be a coach, and others need their manager to be a remover of obstacles. Managers can tailor their support after understanding the team members' backgrounds, strengths, interests and challenges. Furthermore, there are times when the support that workers need is beyond the manager’s capacity. In this case, managers need to use tactics to obtain resources from upper management or stand up for their staff. Employees need emotional support and concrete resources to complete their work, especially if it involves multiple parties.
If you are one of the businesses experiencing declining worker engagement or productivity, you are not in this alone. According to Gallup's State of the Global Workplace report, most employees are not engaged. In 2021, only 20% of employees worldwide and 34% of employees in the U.S. were engaged in their work 3
. Since engagement is an individual connection to the work and the organization, managers play a vital role in their employees’ day-to-day experience. Managers who exhibit the needed engagement competencies are more likely to create a cohesive team environment in which employees thrive.
References:
1. Charity Village. (2022). Introducing the Canadian Nonprofit Sector Salary & Benefits Report: Pandemic Edition (2022) Webinar.
2. Brian J. Brim, E. D. (2022, September 22). How a focus on people's strengths increases their work engagement. Gallup.com. Retrieved October 26, 2022, from https://www.gallup.com/workplace/242096/focus-people-strengths-increases-work-engagement.aspx
3. Royal, K. (2022, April 29). Who's Responsible for Employee Engagement? Gallup.com. Retrieved October 25, 2022, from https://www.gallup.com/workplace/265835/supportive-managers-relieve-job-insecurity-increase-engagement.aspx
I see. I hear. I experience. is a column created by and written by Ada Tai, a chartered member of CPHR Alberta. The column is written in a blog format where Ada and invited co-authors will present their own experiences and interpretations of the world of human resources and its impact on business management. This and the subsequent posts are copyrighted materials by the author(s) and only reflect their personal views, not CPHR Alberta’s.
Author bio: With an MBA Degree, a CPHR, and an SHRM-SCP designation, Ada Tai has been working as an HR professional in a variety of industries for 15 years. Through her consulting firm, Ada and the team provide various strategic and pragmatic management consulting services. Ada’s public speaking skills have enabled her to be regularly invited to speak about HR, people management, career search, and networking topics throughout the province. She is also a well-respected Instructor at the University of Alberta and MacEwan University.
Contact information:
- Website: www.badab101.com
- LinkedIn: adatai or BadaB-Consulting-Inc
- Facebook: @badabconsulting
- YouTube: BadaB Consulting Inc.
BadaB Consulting Inc. provides a wide range of human resources solutions, including Strategic HR and Succession Planning, Organizational Design & Development, Merger & Acquisition Support, Recruitment, Skills Development Training, Compensation Design, Performance Management, Workplace Investigation, Policy Development, etc. Another specialty of BadaB’s services is personal job search and career coaching. The team has effectively helped over 500 people to find work.
The views and opinions expressed in this blog post belong solely to the original author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of CPHR Alberta.
The views and opinions expressed in this blog post belong solely to the original author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of CPHR Alberta.
Over the past month, I spoke with three professionals who had recently been laid off. April , a former schoolmate, has over 20 years of experience and has held management roles at several organizations. Most recently, she led a team at a large oil and gas company, where she was instrumental in building out a new service area. Despite her accomplishments, a combination of economic challenges and a lack of connection with her new boss led to her dismissal. Having been involved in layoffs before, she understood the process, but when she called me, she admitted it was much harder to be on the receiving end. She felt overwhelmed by a mix of emotions: denial, anger, betrayal, and a deep sense of failure. Carol , once a mentee of mine, built a strong foundation in the finance sector, and her persistence earned her a team lead role at a competitive mid-sized firm. Therefore, her call caught me off guard; she was trying to make sense of being included in a round of layoffs that affected 12 others. Having just been promoted, she struggled to understand why she had been chosen. She reached out for support as she navigated both the practical and emotional aftermath. Joe had been a student in one of my classes. With a master’s degree and excellent communication skills, he established a respected career in the regional non-profit sector. We maintained contact and often crossed paths through work. Joe was frequently involved in launching new initiatives and was recognized by both his boss and the board for his contributions. However, when the sector faced financial strain, he and his manager were among the 15% let go. He contacted me a month after the layoff; he had taken time to process everything and was now reflecting on what direction to take next. These stories are not uncommon. In fact, with ongoing economic uncertainty, many professionals, regardless of their experience or performance, are facing unexpected career changes. While layoffs are always challenging, the way they are handled can significantly impact both the individuals affected and the organization. This highlights a critical challenge for organizations: how can companies manage necessary workforce changes with both strategic foresight and genuine care? In addition to engaging the Human Resources department early in the planning and execution process, many businesses are increasingly recognizing the value of utilizing third-party outplacement services. Outplacement services are employer-sponsored programs designed to support both the business and departing employees during layoffs or organizational restructuring. Typically included as part of a severance package, these services offer more than just logistical support; they help individuals navigate a difficult transition with confidence. Outplacement services can be customized based on the needs and budget of the employer. Offerings often include planning for workforce reductions in collaboration with the business, delivering termination messages, and providing one-on-one career transition coaching and emotional support to affected staff. More importantly, these services help affected employees regain focus by offering practical job search guidance, resume coaching, and career direction tailored to their experience and industry. For employers, outplacement services can deliver a clear return on investment. Companies that provide structured transition support often experience fewer legal disputes and benefit from a stronger employer brand, which can positively influence talent attraction and retention. Showing care during a difficult time speaks volumes to internal teams, affected employees, clients, and the broader market. Having worked closely with businesses and professionals throughout this process, I’ve witnessed the significant difference that experienced, neutral third-party support can make. In fact, a 2023 CBIZ report, referencing Bureau of Labor Statistics data, noted that individuals who received outplacement assistance secured new roles 40% faster than those who did not receive support (CBIZ, 2023). Just imagine if April had access to a coach experienced in private sector transitions, or if Carol had received immediate help with processing her layoff and planning her next steps; the positive impact would have been immediate. In today’s environment, outplacement isn’t merely a nice option; it is a strategic necessity. How will your organization ensure a respectful and supportive transition for its workforce? When selecting an outplacement partner, consider factors such as industry experience, the ability to customize services, the quality of career coaches, and the integration of digital tools for job seekers. Not all providers offer the same level of support or results, so thorough vetting is essential.
The countdown to the CPHR Alberta 2025 Conference has officially begun!
As the governing voice of CPHR Alberta, the Board of Directors meet quarterly to provide oversight and guidance in several key areas. The Board, alongside CPHR Alberta operations, continues to deliver on the association's strategic priorities developed in the 2020 strategic plan. To ensure transparency between our Board of Directors, members and key stakeholders, we share post-meeting messages to inform the steps taken towards advancing our profession and ensuring a financially stable association. The Board of Directors met on June 24, 2025, and the Board’s key messages are as follows: Financial Update CPHR Alberta remains in a stable financial position with a forecasted break-even year-end as per the approved Budget. The Board reappointed Cascade Chartered Professional Accountants LLP as auditor for 2025–2027. Strategic Planning The Board held a focused one-day Strategic Refocus Workshop to explore how CPHR Alberta delivers value to its members. This work will guide the development of an updated three-year strategic plan, aligned with the evolving needs of the profession. Self-Regulation The Professional Governance Act received Royal Assent in May 2025 and Royal Proclamation expected for Spring 2026. CPHR Alberta anticipates review of its self-regulation application in Spring 2027. Ongoing work focuses on legislative alignment, internal readiness, and member communications. CPHR Alberta Conference Join us at the CPHR Alberta 2025 Conference, Human-Centric HR on September 23–24 in Edmonton. Be sure to stop by the CPHR Alberta booth to meet and connect with your Board of Directors. The next Board meeting will take place on September 22, 2025, after which we will share our key messages. If you have any questions regarding these key messages or the Board of Directors, please contact chair@cphrab.ca . We welcome your feedback!
