Overcoming Workplace Challenges: Fostering Employee Engagement With Leading Edge Strategies
A few months ago, I had a conversation with an HR leader grappling with a manager who seemed to have lost her usual spark.
They couldn’t pinpoint the issue - was it personal, a lack of motivation, or something else entirely? In this case, the leader found the courage to talk to the employee to see if it was still a good fit.
These scenarios aren’t uncommon in organizations. Sometimes, employees themselves can’t quite put their finger on what’s wrong, feeling adrift or facing personal or workplace challenges they’re unsure how to tackle.
Take R, for instance, a VP at a prominent tech firm. R’s story is one of contrasting visions.
R had been entrusted with leading a bold initiative to revolutionize the company’s digital infrastructure. For him, it was more than just a career milestone; it was a chance to pioneer a forward-thinking, leading edge approach that would position the company as a leader in the digital realm.
But R’s leading edge strategies clashed starkly with those of J, the CEO. This misalignment posed a significant challenge to both the success of the initiative and R’s role within the company.
Steps To Take When Dealing With Workplace Challenges
It’s natural to feel stressed and anxious in a situation where your ideas are rejected and you’re wondering if your job is at risk. And it makes sense that this stress could demotivate you, decrease your employee engagement and inspire feelings of being stuck.
R’s story shows that while handling workplace challenges like this is never easy, finding a positive outcome is possible.
An open and honest self-assessment can help uncover the true source of stagnation.
Identifying Underlying Causes
R’s stagnation stemmed from a deep-seated concern that this approach to the digital transformation project was fundamentally misaligned with J’s expectations.
R envisioned a bold, customer-centric strategy that leveraged the latest AI and machine learning strategies to deliver personalized user experiences. A plan that required a substantial upfront investment and a shift in the company’s operational focus.
J prioritized cost-efficiency and rapid implementation, favoring a more conservative approach to digital innovation.
The divergence in visions led R to question his fit within the company. He grappled with feeling unmotivated, and he was afraid that advocating for his strategy could jeopardize his career. Yikes! R shows us both the internal and external obstacles that professionals face, from fear of failure and rejection to the challenge of aligning personal vision with organizational goals.
Action Step:
If you’re trying to discover the underlying causes of your stagnation, consider the following questions: Is it a lack of interest in the current project? Is there a desire to pursue a different direction? Could it be a symptom of burnout? Is it related to deeper fears such as fear of failure, fear of success, concerns about not meeting high standards, etc?
Acknowledge And Accept
R understood the importance of acknowledging his workplace challenges and accepting his feelings of frustration and apprehension without judgment. By accepting his emotions and moving through them, he could approach the issue with clarity and prepare for a constructive conversation with J.
Action Step:
This step can be challenging. However, when you learn how to feel your emotions without judgment, you create an opportunity for greater self-awareness and set the stage for actionable change.
Reassess Goals And Priorities
R took time to reassess his professional goals and the priorities of his project, considering the broader objectives of the company. This reflection helped him recognize the value of finding a middle ground that could satisfy both his and J’s vision.
Action Step:
Sometimes stagnation can signal a misalignment between your current path and your values or aspirations. Take a moment to reassess your goals and priorities both in your professional life and the current situation. You might find it necessary to set more aligned objectives or adjust existing ones to rekindle your motivation.
Develop A Customized Action Plan
R now had a deep understanding of his goals and the obstacles he faced. He crafted a detailed plan to present to J which included a phased approach to his customer-centric strategy that demonstrated how it would align with the CEO’s emphasis on cost-efficiency and rapid implementation.
Open communication and willingness to find common ground led to a breakthrough. For R, it was a moment of vulnerability and courage as he expressed his commitment to the company’s continuing success while advocating for a strategy he believed in.
Action Step:
Your action plan should have manageable steps that take into account the specific challenges you’re facing and the goal you’ve identified. We recommend leaving room for flexibility and regular reassessment to make sure that your plan remains relevant and effective.
Foster A Support System
R sought feedback from his mentors and peers before approaching J. This network provided him with valuable insights and bolstered his confidence; breaking free, he could now engage in tough conversations.
Action Step:
Identify who is in your support system. That might be mentors, peer groups, or your coach. These people can be an important sounding board for you and provide guidance, advice, and accountability. They may have valuable perspectives that can inspire and motivate you, so don’t hesitate to reach out to them.
Implement Accountability And Celebrate Progress
To address the workplace challenge, R proposed a pilot program as a compromise that allows for accountability through measurable outcomes. This program would enable both R and J to track progress and adjust the strategy as needed, ensuring alignment with the company’s broader goals.
Action Step:
Building accountability into your plan can help maintain momentum and give you opportunities to course correct if needed. Celebrating milestones, beyond just being fun, can reinforce positive behavior and bolster your confidence.
Encourage Professional Development
R’s commitment to his innovative strategy also reflected his dedication to professional growth and development. By staying informed about the latest trends in digital infrastructure and AI, R was able to create proposals grounded in leading edge practices and demonstrate his value to the company.
Action Step:
Professional development can reignite your sense of purpose and direction. New skills and knowledge might be just what you need to provide fresh inspiration and motivation. What skills or training might help you carry out your action plan, reach your goals, or increase your employee engagement?
Prioritize Your Wellbeing
Throughout this process, R was mindful of the stress and anxiety that it caused. He made sure that it didn’t become all-consuming by maintaining a balanced lifestyle and making time for activities that helped him manage stress, prevent burnout and keep a positive outlook.
Action Step:
Navigating stagnation and workplace challenges is not easy. And, if we’re not careful, it can take a toll on our mental and physical health. I know it’s tempting to focus all your time and energy on this until you find a solution or come out the other side. When we break free, making space for rest and activities we enjoy can make it easier to tackle professional obstacles.
If you don't know how to support your wellbeing, ask yourself the following questions: What activities help you manage stress and anxiety? Do you need to create space for extra rest right now? Put something in your calendar that feels fun!
Seek External Help When Necessary
While R managed to navigate his workplace challenge without needing external professional help, he was prepared to consult with a leadership or career coach if the situation had escalated. Recognizing when to seek help is a vital part of overcoming professional hurdles.
Action Step:
We know there’s still a stigma around asking for help when you’re “supposed” to be able to figure it out on your own. But that’s exactly the kind of thinking that will keep you stuck longer than you need to be. It might help to reframe asking for help as a proactive step toward overcoming personal barriers to success because this might just be the step that truly propels you to new heights.
R’s journey shows us that we can face workplace challenges and overcome professional stagnation by identifying the root cause, engaging in introspection and open dialogue, and demonstrating flexibility and a willingness to compromise. R navigated a period of professional uncertainty and turned a career roadblock into an opportunity for growth and innovation. Breaking free and taking strategic action, he was able to find renewed motivation and foster renewed employee engagement.
Feeling unmotivated or stuck in your career is common and happens to almost all of us at one point or another. While it’s helpful to have a framework to work through and an example of someone like R who found a positive solution, it can be difficult to navigate your way to a solution on your own.
