The link between performance, engagement, wellbeing and resilience is strong.
In 2014 HR Magazine reported:
“Employee engagement is closely tied to health and wellbeing”
“A mounting body of evidence strongly suggests wellbeing is an essential aspect of engagement”.
Head of Hay Group Insight Sam Dawson found 82% of employees scored above the norm for engagement when the organisation “demonstrated care and concern” for employee wellbeing.
Of those who said the organisation did not show care and concern, only 29% were rated as engaged.
“So, in essence, demonstrating care and concern for employees makes the difference between the vast majority being effective (engaged) versus ineffective (unengaged),” says Dawson, adding “the bottom line is that a focus on wellbeing drives staff performance.”
Wendy Cartwright, former HR director of the Olympic Delivery Authority says:
“where there is high engagement but low wellbeing, there is a risk of burn-out over time”.
Resilience > Wellbeing
Resilience: The ability to adapt positively and bounce back quickly for sustainable peak performance.
Towers Watson research published in 2013 found that only 16% of employers measured their contribution to employee wellbeing.
Among those employers that did measure their workforce, 98% of employees said they were affected by stress and 97% said they struggled with work/life balance.
Putting It All Together
A clear feedback loop for Employee Experience emerges:
Resilience > Wellbeing > Engagement > Performance
“engagement is significantly related to resilient attitudes and behaviours”
Research published in 2012 by A&DC found that “an individual’s level of engagement is significantly related to resilient attitudes and behaviours”, identifying five components of resilience that contribute to engagement:
- Confidence in ability to overcome obstacles (Self-Belief)
- Belief in positive outcomes (Optimism)
- Commitment to clear goals (Purposeful Direction)
- Experience challenges as opportunities to learn from (Challenge Orientation)
- Willingness to seek support (Collaborative Sharing)
Some people can survive and thrive even when conditions are harsh and pressures are high.
Life might be full of personal and professional challenge, yet Top Achievers are able to recover quickly.
The trait of resilience is directly linked with a certain balance in the nervous system that sustains positive emotional and mental wellbeing.
Together these qualities help to maximise engagement and sustain high performance. Resilience people equals resilient profits.
Explore the new Employee Experience for Resilience Index to continue.