What Employee Engagement Is Not

Today, many definitions are put forward to describe employee engagement. The references made through these definitions have reached such a point that "engagement" has become a slogan that includes all the positive emotions and qualities we want in employees. If we are talking about a positive behavior, we immediately put it in the "engagement" category. However, when many people try to define engagement for their own organization, it gets very complicated.

So let's try a different approach. First, let's address what employee engagement is NOT:

Employee Engagement is not Satisfaction. Satisfied employees are satisfied with their salaries, working environment and the work they do. Employee satisfaction is essential for employees to be engaged in their work (it is a kind of "Entrance Fee"). But satisfaction does not cause an employee to be passionate about their work, nor does it cause an employee to put their heart, hands and mind into their work.

Employee Engagement is not Happiness. Employees may be happy in their jobs, but that doesn't mean they are engaged. A fun work environment can contribute to engagement, but the environment can only make your employees happy without contributing to their engagement. We have seen many employees who are happy with their jobs. Imagine employees saying, "Man, this job is so easy... I don't have to do anything but sit and watch YouTube all day," so they're happy but not engaged.

Employee Engagement is not Motivation. Engaged employees feel motivated to do their best because the conditions for engagement are met. Conversely, motivation does not always translate into action (I am motivated/enthusiastic to diet, but that doesn't necessarily mean I will diet).

Employee Engagement is not Empowerment & Empowerment.

So, what is commitment? Let's explain it simply: employee engagement is a state in which employees feel passionate about their work and give their hearts, hands and minds to their work; it causes employees to value their work more and contribute more to their jobs and their companies; engagement results from an employee experiencing meaning, autonomy, growth, influence and belonging in their work.

Are there other terms you would add to the list? How would you define employee engagement?