Feature
Employee experience continues to be a critical focus for organizations — and for good reason. The realization is sinking in that creating a positive work environment not only makes employees happy, but also drives productivity and overall business success. I might have mentioned these advantages more than a few times.
Sorry, not sorry?
But it’s one thing to say you should improve your employee experience. It’s another to actually drive a great employee experience and to do so effectively. Behavioral science and research-based approaches will give you a few good places to start.
Moving Beyond Simple Surveys
Gaining insights from employee surveys and feedback is an essential first step in improving employee engagement and the employee experience. However, it is crucial to decode the insights derived from these surveys to create meaningful change within the organization. Many HR professionals struggle with translating survey data into actionable steps that can drive employee engagement.
As Daniel Norwood, VP of marketing for employee surveying and listening platform Perceptyx, told HCA Mag, determining how to take action based on the insights gathered from surveys can paralyze organizations. “One of the biggest challenges that we see for our customers, and for HR in general is, ‘OK, we've got all this insight, we've got all this data about what our people need, or how we might need to make adjustments to improve the employee experience, but how do we actually take action on that?” said Norwood.
Perceptyx, which recently acquired Humu, has gone all in on nudges as a way to push action from surveys. Using what is known from behavioral science, its platform suggests small actions (or nudges) that are easy to do and impactful as well.
But behavioral science isn’t the only science-based approach to driving employee experience.
Related Article: Can AI Nudging Help Keep Workers on Track?
How Does Research Shape the Employee Experience?
While employee experience is a multifaceted concept, in-depth research of thousands of employees from Tiffani Bova in her new book "The Experience Mindset" has identified five key factors that contribute to a great employee experience.
1. Mutual Trust: Fostering a Culture of Trust and Psychological Safety
Mutual trust between employees and leaders is a fundamental building block of a great employee experience. According to the research, when employees feel trusted, they are more likely to take risks, be creative and contribute their best work. Trust also creates a sense of psychological safety, where employees feel comfortable speaking up, sharing ideas and challenging the status quo.
To foster mutual trust, organizations should prioritize open and transparent communication, provide opportunities for feedback and collaboration, and ensure that leaders lead by example and demonstrate trust in their teams.
Related Article: What's Trust Got to Do With It?
2. C-Suite Accountability: Demonstrating Leadership Commitment to Employee Experience
Leadership accountability is vital for creating a positive employee experience. When leaders at all levels of the organization take responsibility for cultivating a great work environment, employees report that they feel valued and supported. This accountability has to extend beyond HR to include leaders in all functional areas, emphasizing the collective effort required to create a thriving work culture.
To promote C-Suite accountability, organizations can establish clear expectations for leaders, provide training and resources to support their development, and hold them responsible for fostering a positive employee experience.
3. Alignment of Employee Values and Company Vision: Creating a Sense of Purpose
Employees seek meaning and purpose in their work. When their personal values align with the company's vision and mission, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated. Organizations should strive to create a compelling vision and communicate it effectively to employees, highlighting how their work contributes to the broader organizational goals.
To promote alignment of values and vision, organizations can provide opportunities for employees to connect with the purpose of their work, recognize and celebrate achievements that align with the company's values, and foster a culture that values individual contributions.
Related Podcast: Why a Clear Organizational Purpose Is So Important
4. Recognizing Success: Celebrating Achievements and Contributions
When employees feel appreciated and recognized for their efforts and achievements, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated. Recognition can take various forms, including formal rewards and incentives, public acknowledgment and private expressions of gratitude.
Organizations must establish a culture of recognition, where employees are encouraged to celebrate each other's successes and contributions. Regular feedback and performance evaluations can also help identify and acknowledge individual achievements.
5. Seamless Technology: Enabling Productivity and Work-Life Balance
As you know, technology plays a vital role in the employee experience. Seamless and user-friendly technology tools can enhance productivity, collaboration and work-life balance — and unfriendly technology can have the opposite effect. Organizations need to invest in technology solutions that align with employee needs and simplify their work processes.
To ensure seamless technology experiences, organizations should involve employees in the selection and implementation of technology tools, provide training and support, and regularly assess and update technology systems to meet evolving needs.
No Need to Guess With Employee Experience
With so much evidence about the advantages of creating a great employee experience, organizations owe it to their employees and themselves to invest in it the right areas.
Conference
Sep
16
HR Tech Conference Las Vegas 2025
Register
Conference
Oct
27
Gartner HR Symposium/Xpo Orlando 2025
Register
Understanding the science behind employee experience is essential for organizations seeking to create a thriving workforce. By leveraging behavioral science on how to nudge your way to more engaged employees and following studies on what a great employee experience looks like, organizations can create a workplace that’s destined to succeed.
