S4/E1: People Matter, Not Surveys (Stephanie from Epic People)
Description
Stephanie shares her journey through the HR profession and reveals why most companies take a flawed approach to employee engagement by relying too heavily on surveys and generic initiatives rather than recognising that engagement happens one person at a time.
• HR isn't solely responsible for employee engagement—managers play a crucial role in creating environments where employees can thrive
• Organisations often focus on benefits and programs (the "roof") while neglecting individual needs (the "foundation") and team dynamics (the "middle layer")
• Employee engagement requires understanding what drives each person, their aspirations, frustrations, and communication preferences
• Psychological safety—the ability to speak up, make mistakes, take risks, and debate healthily—is essential for team engagement
• People stay at organisations for different reasons—as "hostages" (stuck due to circumstances), "cruisers" (without major aspirations), or "enthusiasts" (engaged high-performers)
• Addressing underperformance requires curiosity and early intervention rather than waiting until problems become entrenched
• Organisations must invest time in understanding their people now, especially top performers who may seek development elsewhere
As we're deep into 2025, pay attention to your top performers and find out what they want to develop—they're the ones who can take things off your plate so you can grow your business.
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