Calling all changemakers: Are you ready to support the link between employee well-being and engagement? This is a team sport and it starts with you. You have the power to foster a culture that supports well-being improvement.
Why this matters:
Our research shows that when employees feel they have higher well-being, they’re more likely to be engaged in their work. And when employees feel their employer genuinely cares about their well-being, they’re 38 percent more engaged at work.
How can you reach and support all your employees? Create a grassroots network of champions.
What’s a champion network?
Every company is different. So is their culture. Culture is defined as the collective values, norms and beliefs of the organization — also known as “how things are done around here.” Champions set the example and generate enthusiasm for well-being improvement.
You might already have a champion network at your organization. Whether you view them as wellness champions, well-being ambassadors or brand advocates, they all serve the same purpose — to inspire commitment from employees.
Commitment fosters loyalty and engagement — but it’s a two-way street. Show employees you’re investing in their well-being by developing and fostering a champion network.
Why is a champion network important?
In his book, The Tipping Point: How Little Things Make a Big Difference, Malcolm Gladwell explains, “The tipping point is that magic moment when an idea, trend, or social behavior crosses a threshold, tips and spreads like wildfire.”
He adds, “If you want to bring a fundamental change in people’s beliefs and behavior… You need to create a community around them, where those new beliefs can be practiced and expressed and nurtured.”
You can’t do this alone — it takes a team to gain momentum. Your champions bring your vision to life by creating a community. At the grassroots and local level, they’re relatable and can make company-wide initiatives feel personal and real. Champions can also provide continuous feedback. What’s resonating and working? Where’s the push back?
3 ways to recruit champions:
- Open it up for nominations. Encourage employees to recognize and recommend their teammates.
- Recruit from leaderboards. Who consistently participates? Who lives and breathes your values? Elect employees who walk the talk.
- Assign someone from each team. Encourage departments to select a team captain to be their champion.
See it in action:
Our customer Mercury Insurance has a robust network of well-being ambassadors. See how their champions drive success by going above and beyond to bring their well-being program to life.