Skip navigation

Understanding employee engagement + performance

Understanding the relationship between engagement and performance can guide People leaders in developing effective strategies to boost both.

A group of three young professionals are working together in a coffee shop and laughing.A group of three young professionals are working together in a coffee shop and laughing.

Table of contents

Insights from Ellen Raim, Founder of People MatterWe focus more on solving than preventing People problems.

Employee engagement is pivotal to any organization's success because engaged employees exhibit:

  1. Higher productivity
  2. Better customer service
  3. Enhanced creativity and innovation

Engaged employees also contribute significantly to a positive workplace culture

Understanding the relationship between engagement and performance can guide People leaders in developing effective strategies to boost both.

Key drivers of employee engagement

Employee engagement thrives in a supportive work environment, where recognition, professional development opportunities and a collaborative culture are prioritized. By acknowledging employees' efforts, providing avenues for growth and nurturing an inclusive atmosphere, organizations can effectively motivate and engage their workforce.

The role of leadership in fostering employee engagement

Leadership plays a crucial role in shaping the work environment.

Transparent communication, empathetic leadership and consistent feedback can significantly improve employee engagement. People leaders must embody these qualities to create an atmosphere where employees feel valued and heard.

Linking employee engagement to performance

There's a strong connection between an engaged workforce and high performance. Engaged employees are more likely to be invested in their work, leading to higher productivity and better outcomes. Leaders need to understand and leverage this link to enhance organizational performance.

Strategies to enhance performance through employee engagement

Developing strategies that simultaneously boost engagement and performance can be challenging but rewarding. Initiatives like performance-based rewards, constructive performance evaluations and regular check-ins can help align employee efforts with organizational goals.

5 practical steps for leaders to boost employee engagement + performance:

Implementing practical steps is essential for turning the theory of engagement and performance into reality. People leaders should encourage:

  1. Open communication channels
  2. Continuous learning
  3. Clear and achievable goals
  4. Regular, constructive feedback
  5. Recognition and rewards for high performance

Measuring employee engagement and performance

Regularly measuring engagement and performance is critical to understanding their dynamics and making informed decisions. Utilizing employee surveys, performance metrics and regular reviews can provide valuable insights into how well your strategies work.

Employee engagement engagement is the path to a high-performing workforce.

By understanding and enhancing the relationship between employee engagement and performance, People leaders can pave the way for a more productive, motivated and successful workforce. An engaged workforce benefits the organization in terms of outcomes and contributes to a healthier, more fulfilling work environment for employees.

Learn live. Adapt faster.

Latest resources

Learn more about creating a culture of learning throughout our resources below.

Turning star ICs into great managers (without losing what made them shine)
Electives team
 
Nov 14, 2025

Turning star ICs into great managers (without losing what made them shine)

Learn how to transition top individual contributors into effective managers without losing their technical excellence
Individual contributors
From talent hoarding to talent velocity: Building cultures where people don’t get “stuck”
Electives team
 
Nov 11, 2025

From talent hoarding to talent velocity: Building cultures where people don’t get “stuck”

L&D budgets are shrinking, but impact doesn’t have to. Learn how lean teams can deliver skill-building that sticks, without complex rollouts or costly programs.
Culture + collaboration
6 ideas for International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Electives team
 
Nov 10, 2025

6 ideas for International Day of Persons with Disabilities

International Day of Persons with Disabilities is celebrated each year on December 3 with an aim of raising awareness and breaking down barriers.
Culture + collaboration
People developing people: Bullhorn’s playbook for learning culture in the age of AI
 
Nov 6, 2025

People developing people: Bullhorn’s playbook for learning culture in the age of AI

Kristina Bell, Senior Director of Talent Management at Bullhorn, shares how she’s building a sustainable learning culture, leading with trust and helping people grow in the age of AI.
People leader interviews
How Asmara Silverman at Philo built a culture of growth and connection with Electives Membership
Electives team
 
Nov 5, 2025

How Asmara Silverman at Philo built a culture of growth and connection with Electives Membership

Electives helped Philo make learning easy to scale and hard to ignore, with 95% of learners reporting behavior change.
Case studies
Fixing the feedback vacuum: Why most peer feedback fails and what actually works
Electives team
 
Nov 4, 2025

Fixing the feedback vacuum: Why most peer feedback fails and what actually works

Struggling to make peer feedback useful? Discover why most systems fail—and how expert-led, real-time practice builds a feedback culture that sticks.
Communication skills

View all posts

ENJOYABLE. EASY. EFFECTIVE.

Learning that works.

With live learning + AI simulations, Electives is a learning platform that makes it easy to design, execute and measure effectiveness.

Request a demo

Request a demo

Learn more

Learn more